Andrew Basha was born and raised in Calgary and grew up cheering for the Calgary Flames.
That is why it was a dream come true when the Flames chosen the 18-year-old within the second spherical of this 12 months’s NHL entry draft.
On Monday evening, Basha will stay out one other dream, as he makes his pre-season debut with the Flames at dwelling as they tackle the Edmonton Oilers.
Basha is aware of it may be an excellent expertise.
“It is unimaginable to be the primary time enjoying within the Dome with the Flames sweater on. Will probably be surreal for me,” he stated.
“Lucky to have a number of household and mates within the constructing, so simply excited to get going.”
Will see time on energy play
Basha will play on a line with Sam Morton and William Stromgren for Monday evening’s sport.
He will even see time on the ability play.
Head coach Ryan Huska says he is earned a glance.
“We have now him on an influence play unit that is obtained some fairly good gamers on it,” he stated.
“You could possibly see this morning, he had the tendency to need to move the entire time as a substitute of shoot, which I completely perceive. It is fairly thrilling for him and the factor we like about Bash is he is achieved a extremely good job proper from Day 1 of our prospect camp.”
Not likely nervous
Basha is fairly grounded for an 18-year-old and says he is probably not nervous concerning the sport regardless of having a giant cheering part.
“I do not need to look again on this and say I overthought all the things and went into it considering I had all of this stress,” he stated.
“I am nonetheless 18 years outdated and I do not actually assume there’s a lot stress for me. I believe it is simply going out and having enjoyable and treating it like I used to be with every other crew.”
Will simply play his sport
Huska is not shocked Basha is so cool, calm and picked up, even when that is such a giant sport for him.
“For a Calgary child, this might be ridiculously cool to have the ability to play in right here with among the guys that he is grown up watching play,” Huska stated.
“I believe that is what it is all about however it’s getting him to grasp that he is a extremely good participant and that is why he is right here.
“We wish him to simply play his sport and revel in it.”
The Flames will ship one other squad to Edmonton on Monday evening, so it is two video games in a single evening for Calgary and Edmonton.