NHL draft picks Lindstrom, Basha return to Medicine Hat Tigers lineup ahead of WHL Championship

Medicine Hat Tigers forwards Cayden Lindstrom (left) and Andrew Basha (right). (Source: Medicine Hat Tigers/WHL)

The Medicine Hat Tigers are getting reinforcements in the form of two NHL draft picks ahead of their WHL Championship series against the Spokane Chiefs.

Forwards Cayden Lindstrom and Andrew Basha are returning from injury for Game 1 of the series on Friday night, according to the Tigers’ lineup card.

Lindstrom, who was picked fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Draft, returns after missing the entire regular season due to injury.

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The 19-year-old centre underwent a procedure on his back in November.

Before his 2023-24 season was derailed by injuries, Lindstrom put up 27 goals and 19 assists for 46 points in 32 games.

Basha was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft. He has not played a game since Dec. 28 due to an ankle injury.

The 19 year old had nine goals and 20 assists in 23 games during the regular season.

The Tigers rolled through the first three rounds of the WHL Playoffs, beating the Swift Current Broncos in five games before sweeping both the Prince Albert Raiders and Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-0.

The team has been led by 2026 NHL draft prospect Gavin McKenna, who has accumulated 35 points, including eight goals and 27 assists, in 13 games.

Two Chiefs players have outpaced McKenna thus far, with Andrew Cristall leading the league with 37 playoff points, followed by Berkly Catton’s 36.

Cristall also leads the playoffs with 20 goals.

Medicine Hat has home-ice advantage to start the series. Puck drop for Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. MDT at Co-op Place.

All the games of the championship series will be broadcast live on TSN.