2025 Memorial Cup Head-to-Head: Flames prospects Basha and Morin poised for fiery matchup
Rimouski, Que. – The Calgary Flames know how to pick ’em.
And, if you don’t believe us, tune into the 2025 Memorial Cup on Monday, May 26 for the proof.
It’s then where viewers can catch highly-touted Flames prospects Andrew Basha and Etienne Morin ignite the Sun Life Financial Coliseum, when the Medicine Hat Tigers and Moncton Wildcats collide for a round robin tilt at the Memorial Cup.
Set to be an inferno of the highest intensity, the meeting will see the WHL Champions and QMJHL Champions battle for a berth in the tournament’s elimination stage – and, at the centre of it all, is Basha and Morin.
Pivotal pieces in both Club’s respective championships, the pair Flames prospects act as the coals for their roster. Without them, their team’s drive for the Memorial Cup is at risk to flicker out.
For Medicine Hat, Basha’s presence in the locker room and on the ice has proved to be invaluable – and nearly instantaneous.
Sidelined due to an injury for a large part of the 2024-25 WHL Regular Season and the WHL Playoffs (inactive since December 28), Basha returned to the Tabbies line-up for Game 1 of the 2025 WHL Championship Series.
A clear catalyst for the Southern Alberta club, Basha’s injection back into the roster ignited an extra level of determination across the Tigers ranks.
This new-found fuel for the League’s title was further stoked when the Calgary, Alta. product logged the first goal of the WHL Championship, just 54 seconds into Game 1.
It’s a moxie that has continued to build since landing in Rimouski.
“I felt like I got better every game, every shift,” Basha said ahead of Medicine Hat’s opening game against the Rimouski Oceanic.
“Making an impact was just important – in the [locker] room wise.”
But, Basha’s tour through Quebec will come with challenges.
After picking up a tournament-opening win against Rimouski on Friday night, Calgary’s second-round selection from the 2024 NHL Draft is scheduled to see a somewhat familiar face come Monday evening.
Suiting up with the QMJHL Champions, Moncton, is Calgary’s second-round selection from the 2023 NHL Draft, Etienne Morin.
For Basha, it’s a challenge he eagerly awaits.
“Great shot, good brain. A lot of the qualities you want in a high-end defenceman,” Basha praised.
In a similar fashion as Basha, Morin also acts as an integral cog in Moncton’s roster.
As a top defenceman for the Wildcats, Morin has spent the season as an offensive quarterback – and has done so perfectly.
Returning for his fourth-season with the Wildcats, the product of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., posted 58 points (14G-44A) in 62 regular season appearances.
The blueliner’s offensive flair only continued to heighten as he entered the post-season with Moncton.
In 19 playoffs games, Morin notched 20 points (2G-18A) to lead all QMJHL in points and assists during the post-season.
It was the same story during Moncton’s Memorial Cup-opening game on Saturday, as he found the back of the net in the first period with a stunning shot from the point.
He’s also one of four defencemen in the 2025 Memorial Cup to have recorded goals through the opening weekend of the tournament.
Now, after a brief moment to exchange pleasantries prior to puck drop, Basha and Morin will continue their trek to hoist the 2025 Memorial Cup.
Opening face-off is slated for 5:00 p.m. MST on Monday, May 26, with TSN broadcasting the match to fans in Canada, while viewers in the United States and around the world can stream the game on the NHL Network and Victory+.