 He would average over 200 penalty minutes in his first three years in Washington's system, finally earning a 5-game callup to the Capitals in 1989–90, during which he scored his first NHL goal against Alain Chevrier and the Chicago Blackhawks.Bawa played one more season in the Capitals' system, posting 381 penalty minutes in Fort Wayne but not seeing any more NHL action, before being dealt to the Vancouver Canucks in 1991.He played 2 games for the Canucks in 1991–92, and set a career high with 27 goals in the IHL.