Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Holly Gunning
- Name: Zack Kassian
- Position: RW
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Birthdate: 1991-01-24
- Eligible for Draft: 2009
- Drafted: 2009
- Hometown: LaSalle, Ontario
- Acquired: 1st round (13th overall), 2009
- Playing In: Pro
Zack Kassian
Prospect Grade: 7.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2006-07: The Windsor Minor Midgets (AAA Minor Midgets) winger netted 32 goals and a stellar 80 points in 57 contests.
2007-08: The wingers first OHL season ended with nine goals and 21 points in 58 games. He should be back with Peterborough (OHL) for another season in 2008-09.
2008-09: In 61 games with Peterborough (OHL), Kassian netted 24 goals and 63 points. His 136 penalty minutes were a career-high for the winger. Played in the 2009 Top Prospects Game, where he made his mark with a crunching check on top prospect John Tavares.
2009-10: Kassian began the season slow with Peterborough, only netting 8 goals in 33 games before he was shipped out to Windsor, as they prepped for a Memorial Cup run. Though he only dressed for 5 games int he regular season, he would score 4 in that time, and then 7 in 19 playoff games.
2010-11: Kassian made his pro hockey debut at the end of the season after finishing his junior career with the OHL's Windsor Spitfires and representing Canada at the World Junior U-20 championships. Kassian, who joined the Spitfires in a late-season trade in 2009-10 prior to the Memorial Cup run, was second on the Spitfires in points, scoring 26 goals with 51 assists in 56 games. Kassian finished with a +10 plus/minus and received 67 PMs. In 16 OHL playoff games he scored 6 goals with 10 assists and was +2 with 37 PMs. Kassian's physical play drew the ire of officials at the WJC tournament as he was ejected for a hit against a Czech Republic player and suspended for two games. In five games for silver medal-winning Canada he had 2 goals with 1 assist and was +1. Kassian joined Portland during the Pirates' second round AHL playoff series with Binghamton. He was scoreless with one minor penalty in three games and had five shots on goal in the Pirates' 6-2 win in Game 6.
Talent Analysis
The 6'3, 205-pound right winger is a power forward prospect. He has imposing size and has shown a willingness to use it. While he may not have as much offensive upside as other forwards at the top of the draft order, Kassian's total package of size, checking, and energetic play make him an appealing addition to a club looking for a top-six forward who can open up the ice for other teammates. An ability to put the puck in the net adds to his value as he has proven he won't be an offensive liability with more skilled teammates.
Future
Kassian projects as an imposing power forward at the next level with good enough hands and hockey sense to potentially play on the second line someday. He uses his body effectively in the offensive zone and creates mismatches along the wall for opponents because of his strength. Kassian could ultimately end up anywhere from a fringe first liner to a scoring third liner depending on his development over the next few years.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: November, 1st 2011
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