Former NHL Veteran Retires After 12 Seasons

Zack Kassian has retired from the National Hockey League, retiring after 661 Games Played in 12 Seasons with the Sabres, Oilers, Canucks, & Coyotes.

Kassian, drafted 13th Overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Kassian was traded to the Vancouver Canucks after 27 Games in Buffalo in a deal that send fellow top younger Cody Hodgson to the Sabres. Kassian would play parts of 5 seasons with Vancouver, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, before a non-involved car accident revealed Kassian as being under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine led to Kassian being placed in the NHL's Substance Abuse Program. After completing the program, Kassian was placed on waivers by Montreal, later being traded to the Oilers in 2016.

Kassian was able to get his career back on track, playing 7 Seasons for Edmonton, earning a reputation as a physical goalscorer, with 2 consecutive 15-Goal campaigns late in his career in 2018-19 and 2019-20, along with 3 Seasons with over 100 PIM.

Kassian played last season for the Arizona Coyotes, with 2 Points in 51 Games for the team. He wa signed to a PTO contract by the Anaheim Ducks, but was released without signing a contract.

In 661 Career NHL Games, Kassian recorded 92 Goals, 111 Assists & 203 Points, along with 913 Penalty Minutes, 10th among active players. Kassian is also a CHL Memorial Champion with the Windsor Spitfires, and a World Juniors Champion with Canada in 2011.