Sunday, May 23, 2010

Local boy looks to bring Cup home

The Windsor Star's Bob Duff had a quick hit in Saturday's edition about Windsor native and Spitfires forward Zack Kassian's wishes to win the Memorial Cup for his hometown.

Windsor will battle the host Brandon Wheat Kings for Canadian junior's top prize Sunday evening at 7:00 PM (EST). The game will be broadcast on cable via NHL-N. It can also be seen streaming at sportsnet.ca.


Kassian plans to deliver the goods


On watching Windsor win it all last season while on the couch at home:


“Every junior hockey player wants to get a shot to get to the Memorial Cup. I didn’t have that chance last year, so it kind of sucked, but I wished them the best and they did a great job.

“I’m just hoping we can repeat this year.”


On the mid-season deal that landed him back in Windsor for a chance to play in the prestigious tourney:


He knew what they expected him to bring to the table, and he’s thrilled to be situated to deliver the goods.

“This is what I got traded here for,” Kassian said. “If we weren’t in this position, I’d feel like I let the trade down.

“It’s something that I take pride in, but it’s not complete yet.”

The 6-3, 215-pound right-winger is enjoying a strong tournament, with 1-2-3 totals in three games.

“I’m really excited,” Kassian said. “It’s still kind of surreal to think I’m at the Memorial Cup. I haven’t really sat back and thought about it yet, but it’s something special.”