Zack Kassian
Encyclopedia
Zack Kassian is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He currently plays for the Rochester Americans
of the American Hockey League
(AHL). He was chosen 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
. Zack is of Armenian ancestry.
in the 2007–08 season
. He appeared in 58 games, scoring 9 goals to go along with 12 assists for 21 points.
In the 2008–09 season
, Kassian showed great improvement, and his numbers increased greatly. In 61 games played, he had 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points. He also had 136 penalty minutes, which was the highest number on the Petes; this was due in part to Kassian's 13 fighting majors. That season, he played in the OHL All-Star Classic, scoring a goal and adding an assist for the Eastern Conference team. He also played in the CHL Top Prospects Game
for Team Cherry. In the game, he had a hit on top prospect John Tavares, which left Tavares with a shoulder injury.
Kassian plays a power forward
style, and has been compared to Boston Bruins
forward Milan Lučić
.
On June 26, 2009, Kassian was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres
, 13th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
.
On January 21, 2010, Kassian was handed a 20 game suspension by the OHL for his hit to the head of Barrie Colts
forward
Matt Kennedy
. Also in the 2011 IIHF world juniors, Kassian was handed a 2 game suspension for his hit to the head on Czech defenceman Petr Senkerik.
In May of 2010, Kassian was charged with assault after an altercation outside of a downtown Windsor, Ontario bar. In October of 2010, Kassian reached an agreement that saw the assault charge laid against him in May dropped. As part of the deal, Kassian, 19, must perform 25 hours of community service. He will also make a $500 donation to charity and pay for the dental work of the other person involved in the incident. Kassian was arrested shortly after the completion of the Memorial Cup after an altercation at a Windsor bar. If convicted of the charge, Kassian could have run into difficulty crossing the Canada-U.S. border as he looks to continue his hockey career.
On April 23rd, 2011, Kassian was suspended 4 games for an intent to injure match penalty he received at the end of a playoff game vs the Owen Sound Attack on April 23rd, 2011.
On November 1, 2010, he signed a 3-year entry level contract with the Sabres, and played with the team's affiliate the Portland Pirates
in the first round of the AHL playoffs.
On November 24, 2011, Kassian was recalled by the Buffalo Sabres, and in his first game on 11/25/11, recorded an assist on Jordan Leopold
's goal (against the Columbus Blue Jackets), giving him his first NHL point in his first NHL game.
On November 26, 2011, Zack Kassian scores his first career NHL goal in front of his hometeam, the Buffalo Sabres against the Tomas Vokoun
of the Washington Capitals
.
Canadian National Team World Junior Tournament 2010
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL). He was chosen 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
. Zack is of Armenian ancestry.
Playing career
Kassian made his debut with the Peterborough PetesPeterborough Petes
The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
in the 2007–08 season
2007–08 OHL season
The 2007–08 OHL season was the 28th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams played 68 games each during the schedule, that started on September 19, 2007, and concluded on March 16, 2008....
. He appeared in 58 games, scoring 9 goals to go along with 12 assists for 21 points.
In the 2008–09 season
2008–09 OHL season
The 2008–09 OHL season was the 29th season of the Ontario Hockey League . Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 17, 2008 and concluded on March 15, 2009....
, Kassian showed great improvement, and his numbers increased greatly. In 61 games played, he had 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points. He also had 136 penalty minutes, which was the highest number on the Petes; this was due in part to Kassian's 13 fighting majors. That season, he played in the OHL All-Star Classic, scoring a goal and adding an assist for the Eastern Conference team. He also played in the CHL Top Prospects Game
CHL Top Prospects Game
The CHL Top Prospects Game is an annual event in which forty of the top draft eligible prospects in the Canadian Hockey League play against each other, each hoping to boost their draft ranking with the National Hockey League scouts and general managers who attend.The players are typically coached...
for Team Cherry. In the game, he had a hit on top prospect John Tavares, which left Tavares with a shoulder injury.
Kassian plays a power forward
Power forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, power forward is a loosely applied characterization of a forward who is big and strong, equally capable of playing physically or scoring goals and would most likely have high totals in both points and penalties...
style, and has been compared to Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
forward Milan Lučić
Milan Lucic
Milan Lucic is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger of Serbian origin currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He played major junior with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League for three seasons and captured a Memorial Cup, while being named...
.
On June 26, 2009, Kassian was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
, 13th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
.
On January 21, 2010, Kassian was handed a 20 game suspension by the OHL for his hit to the head of Barrie Colts
Barrie Colts
The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.-Original Colts:The...
forward
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
Matt Kennedy
Matt Kennedy (ice hockey)
Matt Kennedy is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is currently playing for the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League...
. Also in the 2011 IIHF world juniors, Kassian was handed a 2 game suspension for his hit to the head on Czech defenceman Petr Senkerik.
In May of 2010, Kassian was charged with assault after an altercation outside of a downtown Windsor, Ontario bar. In October of 2010, Kassian reached an agreement that saw the assault charge laid against him in May dropped. As part of the deal, Kassian, 19, must perform 25 hours of community service. He will also make a $500 donation to charity and pay for the dental work of the other person involved in the incident. Kassian was arrested shortly after the completion of the Memorial Cup after an altercation at a Windsor bar. If convicted of the charge, Kassian could have run into difficulty crossing the Canada-U.S. border as he looks to continue his hockey career.
On April 23rd, 2011, Kassian was suspended 4 games for an intent to injure match penalty he received at the end of a playoff game vs the Owen Sound Attack on April 23rd, 2011.
On November 1, 2010, he signed a 3-year entry level contract with the Sabres, and played with the team's affiliate the Portland Pirates
Portland Pirates
The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
in the first round of the AHL playoffs.
On November 24, 2011, Kassian was recalled by the Buffalo Sabres, and in his first game on 11/25/11, recorded an assist on Jordan Leopold
Jordan Leopold
Jordan Leopold is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
's goal (against the Columbus Blue Jackets), giving him his first NHL point in his first NHL game.
On November 26, 2011, Zack Kassian scores his first career NHL goal in front of his hometeam, the Buffalo Sabres against the Tomas Vokoun
Tomas Vokoun
Tomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
of the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
.
Awards and Honors
- Invited to take part in Canada’s 2011 National Junior Team selection camp
Canadian National Team World Junior Tournament 2010
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2006-07 | Windsor Jr. Spitfires | AH Alliance Hockey Alliance Hockey is a minor level ice hockey organization based out of Southern Ontario. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada.... |
57 | 32 | 48 | 80 | 136 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 OHL season The 2007–08 OHL season was the 28th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams played 68 games each during the schedule, that started on September 19, 2007, and concluded on March 16, 2008.... |
Peterborough Petes Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
58 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 74 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 OHL season The 2008–09 OHL season was the 29th season of the Ontario Hockey League . Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 17, 2008 and concluded on March 15, 2009.... |
Peterborough Petes | OHL | 61 | 24 | 39 | 63 | 136 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 OHL season The 2009–10 OHL season was the 30th season of the Ontario Hockey League . Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010.... |
Peterborough Petes | OHL | 33 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Windsor Spitfires Windsor Spitfires The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The... |
OHL | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 38 | ||
| 2010–11 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL | 56 | 26 | 51 | 77 | 67 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 37 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 AHL season The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011... |
Portland Pirates Portland Pirates The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| OHL totals | 213 | 71 | 121 | 192 | 358 | 44 | 14 | 21 | 35 | 85 | ||||