Blue Jackets prospect Cayden Lindstrom to make season debut in WHL final

Better late than never for Cayden Lindstrom.

The Columbus Blue Jackets‘ top prospect will make his season debut for the Medicine Hat Tigers in Game 1 of the WHL final against the visiting Spokane Chiefs on Friday, Tigers coach Willie Desjardins told James Tubb of the Medicine Hat News.

Lindstrom, picked fourth overall by the Blue Jackets last year, has been out all year with a back injury. He underwent surgery in November.

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports Lindstrom started skating again in February in Columbus and has been skating with the Tigers since early last month.

The six-foot-four centre had 27 goals and 19 assists for 46 points in 32 games for the Tigers last season.

Meanwhile, Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Basha also is scheduled to make his return for Medicine Hat on Friday.

A second-round Calgary pick (41st overall) last year, the forward has been out since December with an ankle injury.

The powerhouse Tigers are led by top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna.