FLAMES PROSPECT EITAN BASHA AND MEDICINE HAT TIGERS TO PLAY IN 2025 MEMORIAL CUP FINAL
The 2025 Memorial Cup Final is set to be a thrilling clash of Canada’s best junior hockey talent—and leading the charge is Calgary Flames prospect Eitan Basha, whose Medicine Hat Tigers are making a stunning run toward junior hockey supremacy.
Basha, an 18-year-old forward drafted by the Flames in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft, has been a standout performer throughout the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) season and the Memorial Cup tournament. With elite puck-handling skills, deceptive speed, and a clutch scoring touch, Basha has quickly become a household name in WHL circles and is now grabbing national attention.
This year’s Memorial Cup is being hosted in Saginaw, Michigan, by the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. The Tigers earned their spot in the prestigious final after defeating the host team in a dramatic semi-final showdown, clinching the 5–4 overtime victory in front of a packed Dow Event Center crowd.
A STAR IN THE MAKING
Eitan Basha’s rise over the past year has been meteoric. After putting up 68 points in the regular season with the Tigers—including 25 goals and 43 assists—he was instrumental in leading Medicine Hat to a deep playoff run in the WHL. Though the Tigers were eliminated in the WHL Championship by the Portland Winterhawks, their performance was strong enough to earn them the wild card entry to the Memorial Cup.
Since then, Basha has elevated his game even further. In the round-robin stage of the Memorial Cup, he scored in every game and added several highlight-reel assists, finishing the preliminary round with seven points in just three games. His on-ice vision and decision-making under pressure have made him one of the tournament’s most dangerous forwards.
Scouts across the NHL have taken notice, with many projecting him to be a possible top-six forward at the pro level in a few years. Flames management has been particularly pleased with Basha’s performance, as Calgary continues to stockpile young offensive talent to complement their current rebuild.
TIGERS ROARING BACK TO RELEVANCE
The Medicine Hat Tigers have a storied history in Canadian junior hockey, with Memorial Cup championships in 1987 and 1988. However, the team has endured several lean years recently and had not made a significant playoff run in over a decade. That changed with the 2024–25 season.
Under head coach Willie Desjardins, a Tigers legend in his own right, the team focused on building a high-tempo, offensive-minded style of play centered around young stars like Basha, Tyler MacKenzie, Gavin McKenna, and defenceman Tomas Mrsic. Their combination of speed, skill, and cohesion has made them one of the most exciting teams in the CHL this season.
McKenna, considered a future first-round pick, has been equally impressive during the Memorial Cup. His chemistry with Basha has been pivotal to the Tigers’ success, with the pair combining for over a dozen points in the tournament.
“We’re just having fun out there,” said Basha in a post-game interview after the semi-final win. “We’ve played together all year, and we trust each other. We want to win this for Medicine Hat, and we believe we can.”
THE FINAL AWAITS
In the final, the Tigers will face the QMJHL champions, the Drummondville Voltigeurs, who went undefeated through the round-robin and earned a direct berth in the championship game. The Voltigeurs boast a deep and physical roster, led by their own NHL prospects, including Montreal Canadiens draftee Justin Poirier and Philadelphia Flyers goaltending prospect Samuel St-Hilaire.
The matchup promises to be a showcase of contrast—Medicine Hat’s high-flying offense against Drummondville’s structured, two-way play. For Basha, it’s another chance to prove that he belongs on the biggest stages.
“Every game is a test, and this is the biggest one yet,” Basha said. “They’re a great team, but we’ve come this far together. We’re not backing down now.”
CALGARY WATCHING CLOSELY
Back in Calgary, Flames fans and management are tuning in closely. Basha’s performance this season has raised expectations for his future with the organization. Some analysts have even speculated that he could get a long look at training camp in 2025–26, especially if he continues to add muscle and improve his play away from the puck.
Flames GM Craig Conroy recently commented on Basha’s development: “We loved his hockey sense and character when we drafted him, and he’s showing that he has the drive to keep improving. This kind of experience—playing in a Memorial Cup final—is exactly what helps shape young pros.”
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
For Basha and the Tigers, Sunday night’s Memorial Cup Final isn’t just about hoisting a trophy—it’s about cementing a legacy. For Medicine Hat, it’s the chance to restore the glory of past generations. For Basha, it’s the next step in what’s quickly becoming a very promising professional career.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET in Saginaw, and the game will be broadcast live across Canada on TSN and RDS. With two elite teams and a host of future NHL stars on display, it promises to be a game for the ages.
And for Flames fans, it might just be the beginning of something special.
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