With the Calgary Flames being a Western Canada-based organization, it is not surprising that they select their fair share of players in the draft who are playing in the WHL. To extend our coverage on the WHL this year, what better way than to focus on the prospects already in the Flames system?
The amount of Flames prospects suiting up for WHL teams this season sits at five. These five are Andrew Basha, Jaden Lipinski, Eric Jamieson, Hunter Laing, and Axel Hurtig. With the WHL season being about a quarter of the way through, let’s take a look at how these guys are doing.
Andrew Basha
The highest selection out of any of the guys listed, Basha was selected 41st overall in the second round of this past draft. A hometown kid and a fan-favourite pick, Basha brings lots of excitement and skill to the table. His season started off slow, just like the entire Medicine Hat Tigers. His first six games saw him put up only two goals and three assists but in game #7, he exploded for four assists against the Vancouver Giants.
Away from those first six games, Basha has produced five goals and 10 assists for 15 points. This puts his full season totals at seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 17 games. It’s a pace worse than last season, but considering the slow start, he should be able to pick it up. Basha is currently considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury he faced against the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Jaden Lipinski
Jaden Lipinski started to receive more recognition from Flames fans when he stepped up for the Vancouver Giants when another Flames prospect, Sam Honzek, was out with an injury. He started this season in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers where he played two games before being sent back to the WHL. He currently serves as one of the Giants’ three 20-year-olds, turning 20 in just a few weeks.
Lipinski has had an up-and-down start to his season. His first game was a dominant 10–1 win over the Prince Albert Raiders but he recorded zero points. The next four games saw him score his first goal and a total of six points. Now in his last four, he only has gotten one point. His season totals currently sit at one goal and six assists for seven points in nine games. Not necessarily anything crazy but it’s also early into the year.
Eric Jamieson
Another 2024 NHL Draft selection, Eric Jamieson was welcomed into the Flames organization when they took him 177th overall in the sixth round. His physical presence and shutdown style with decent production are the highlights of his game. The Everett Silvertips defenceman has earned the honour of being named team captain in his D+1 season.
His season started off slow in terms of production with just one point in his first five games but then turned it around with six points in nine games. He has gone pointless in his last four games but production isn’t necessarily his draw. He brings tools of checking and ability to read in the defensive zone and that has certainly had its shine the season.
Hunter Laing
The final prospect who is new to the Flames organization on this list. Hunter Laing saw himself get selected just seven selections before Jamieson in the sixth round at 170th overall. Laing, known for his big body presence, had a hot start to the year. He was at a point-per-game after his first six games with four goals. Unfortunately, he then went pointless in the next three but did follow that up with four points in four games. However, since that second point-per-game stretch, he only has two points in his last seven games. Even with his rollercoaster start, Laing is looking to have a better season than last.
Axel Hurtig
Axel Hurtig is entering his first WHL season, coming over from his home country of Sweden. He was selected with the Flames’ last pick in the 2023 NHL Draft at 208th overall. The towering 6’5″, 209lbs presence on the back end, Hurtig for sure brings a powerful shutdown game for the Calgary Hitmen.
Offence isn’t his game and that shows as it took him until his fifth game to get his first WHL point and has gone pointless in his last nine. Overall, he has three points in 20 games. The focus with Hurtig is for him to build his defensive game. He may even get a look at the World Juniors this year on Team Sweden.
Decent Flames starts in the WHL
Flames have a solid group of prospects in the WHL this year. Andrew Basha is by far the best prospect with a good amount of promise and the rest are rounded out by some decent mid- to late-round selections. Jaden Lipinski and Hunter Laing have some rollercoaster of seasons to begin with their production coming in streaks. Eric Jamieson and Axel Hurtig continue to work on their demeaning presence in the defensive end.
