Friday, June 11, 2010

Kassian, McNabb selected for Canadian camp

Buffalo Sabres 2009 draft picks Zack Kassian (13th) and Brayden McNabb (66th) have been selected to attend Hockey Canada's 2011 U20 Development Camp. The 19-year old duo will be two of 41 skaters convening this August in St. John's, NL as reigning silver medalist Team Canada begins construction for their entry in the World Junior Championships. The tournament will be played this winter in Buffalo, and the pair of future Sabres should be considered solid candidates to take the international stage on a familiar sheet. Both played with Team Canada's 2009 U18 entry that finished in 4th place.

The 6'3, 215-pound Kassian will participate for the second year in a row after helping the Windsor Spitfires win their second straight Memorial Cup. Last summer in Saskatoon, the physical forward did not register a point in the camp's two scrimmages before uncorking 19 goals and 47 points in 57 OHL contests including the playoffs. Kassian has the body and style to play in the NHL as early as next season, and his chances will only be enhanced with a strong summer beginning with the Sabres post-draft conditioning camp.

McNabb, 19, will prepare for camp on the heels of an excellent season in Kootenay that saw him log huge minutes en route to being named a WHL Eastern Conference First Team All-Star. In 64 games, the 6'4 blueliner scored 17 goals and 57 points to finish fifth in scoring among league defensemen. The Saskatchewan native is expected to get into a few preseason games for the Sabres this fall before returning to the Ice for the 2010-11 season.

The complete roster can be viewed here.