Courtesy https://chl.ca/whl-tigers/

By Lisa Parent

Tigers’ draft eligibles land on NHL Central Scouting rankings

Oct 26, 2023 | 4:56 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Tigers are gearing up to play five straight games at CO-OP place starting tomorrow. Earlier this week, some of the Tigers players got to share some new and exciting news with their fans.

The first round of NHL Central Scouting Rankings were released yesterday, listing five Tigers as players to watch.

https://chl.ca/whl-tigers/

Andrew Basha was identified as a ‘B’ rated prospect, suggesting a potential selection in the second or third round of the 2024 NHL draft.

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“You kind of dream about the whole draft, it’s obviously been my childhood dream since I could remember. To be put in that preliminary list of rankings is super cool and super exciting,” says Basha.

Cayden Lindstrom, Tomas Mrsic, Shane Smith and Vasyl Spilka were also tied to that list.

“I’m really excited to have so many guys on our team be on that list,” mentions Basha. “It just speaks to how good of a group we are.”

Cayden Lindstrom is a potential candidate to go 1st round of the NHL draft, but the center remains focused on his current role with the Tigers.

“I think I just need to worry about myself and where I want to be as a player and just keep working on the things I want to work on,” says Lindstrom.

This list reminds many younger Tigers, including forward Gavin McKenna, what they’re working towards achieving one day.

“The end goal is to get drafted and play in the NHL, so I think that’s a big step for all those guys,” explains McKenna. “It’s obviously a goal that I’m working towards for a few years to come. That’s always going to be in the back of my mind for sure.”

With McKenna’s draft year not being until 2026, he was able to focus on some of his own good news this week. McKenna was named to Team Canada Red at the World Under 17 Challenge in Charlottetown and Summerside, PEI in November.

“It’s something you dream of as a kid, to wear that Canadian jersey. So it’ll be a first for me,” says McKenna.

Courtesy https://chl.ca/whl-tigers/

So far this season, McKenna has been leading the Tigers in points with 5 goals and 12 assists. He’ll have the chance to add to that, in front of Tigers fans for the next five games in a row at CO-OP place.

“I think it’ll be good for us to finally get back in the rink, our home rink,” says McKenna. “We’re a good team at home, it’s a tough building for other teams to play in, so I think we’ll be pretty successful.

The Tigers start that at-home streak tomorrow night at 7pm against the Oil Kings.