Kassian gearing up; Pre-draft comments cause Catfight

Zack Kassian is perhaps the most intriguing Sabres prospect in recent years largely due to his hands. He uses them softly to pass and finish, but also tosses them like hammers when the gloves come off.

Sean Fitz-Gerald of the National Post recently caught up with Kassian, who has been gearing up for his professional debut after a junior career that saw good headlines (Memorial Cup win, World Junior silver medal) mixed with bad (suspensions). At 6'3, 226 pounds, the imposing forward is going to have to manage a disciplined focus while easing his way into hockey's highest level.

"I need to play with an edge, but I have to make sure I don't cross that edge," he said Tuesday. "With all the skill Buffalo has, I think they need some grit and definitely some people that are hard to play against to give those skilled guys some room. I feel like I can fill that job, and hopefully, I can do it sooner than later."

Kassian scored 77 points a season ago in Windsor, but the skills that created solid junior production are going to take some time to develop as a pro. Zack will be best served concentrating on his 40-second blocks in year one, making sure he keeps his feet moving, finishes his checks, and simply stays engaged while adjusting to playing against "men". Part of that process will be playing a smart game that keeps him...out of trouble and free of regret.

Kassian earned a 20-game suspension in his very first game with the Windsor Spitfires in 2010. He went steaming across the ice in the second period of a game against the Barrie Colts, aimed his shoulder at Matt Kennedy and fired himself into the smaller forward's head, sending both the player and his helmet flying to the ice.

"That suspension, definitely, I wish I could take back," Kassian said.

That collision has drawn more than 175,000 views on YouTube, the most-watched video of Kassian's career. And it might very well have factored into the suspension handed out for his secondmost popular clip, recorded while he was playing with Canada during the world junior championship in Buffalo last December.

As with the hit on Kennedy 12 months earlier, Kassian stalked Czech Republic forward Petr Senkerik through centre ice. Unlike the previous hit, though, Kassian remained on his feet, tucked his elbows into his side and aimed for the chest. The result was still devastating. Senkerik was removed from the ice on a stretcher, and the International Ice Hockey Federation removed Kassian from Canada's lineup for two games. It can be debated that the hit, had it been delivered in the NHL, would not have drawn any supplemental discipline.

"My previous suspensions in junior hockey didn't help my case at all," Kassian said. "I felt like that was a clean hit. It was definitely not fun to sit through world junior games, and especially a big game on New Year's, but stuff like that happens in the game."

Kassian no doubt brings a balancing element that the Sabres crave. His work begins next weekend when the Sabres ice a squad at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament.

***

Elsewhere around the rinks...

The Sault Star reported this week that pre-draft comments by Hounds GM Kyle Dubas were the reason behind the Daniel Catenacci trade request. Remember, Cat was rumored to be telling friends that the request was not his decision.

The decision to seek a trade, according to a reliable source with knowledge of the situation, originated with the player's father, Maurice Catenacci.

And wait until you learn the reason why.

According to the source, Maurice was miffed over comments made by the new Hounds general manager, Kyle Dubas, in a June 21 article in The Star.

In a series of stories that ran before the June 24-25 NHL Entry Draft, each of the five Hounds players who were rated by NHL Central Scouting were profiled.

In an article dealing with defenceman Ryan Sproul's draft prospects, Dubas cited numerous calls he'd received from NHL scouts inquiring about Sproul.

And, based on that, the GM predicted big things at the draft for the six-foot-four, 190-pounder.

Dubas said NHL teams were telling him "Sproul could be a first-round pick."

Dubas added: "I don't think he gets past the 50th pick" and "it's very possible he could be the first Greyhounds player taken."

Which, by the way, is exactly what happened.

While he didn't go in the first round or in the top 50, Sproul was the first Greyhounds player selected.

The Mississauga native was chosen in the second round, 55th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings. Another Soo player, centre Nick Cousins, was next to go, a third-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers and the 68th player chosen.

Catenacci went later in Round 3, 77th overall to the Buffalo Sabres.

According to my source, Maurice Catenacci, apparently angered by the GMs comments and feeling Dubas's words actually hurt Daniel's draft prospects, decided it was time for his kid to play elsewhere.

After having the trade demand met, the speedy center reported to training camp in Owen Sound this week and seems to be fitting in well with some familiar faces on the Attack roster.

***

Out west, Kootenay ICE netminder Nathan Lieuwen tells The Daily Townsman that he's set to go for his first NHL training camp.

"At the end of the day, it's not in my hands; it's in Buffalo's hands as to what they want to do," said Lieuwen. "I love this organization (Ice) and I'd love to play another year here, that'd be great for me and my career, and if they (Sabres) choose to move me on, then that's another step forward that I can take and play some games there."

Lieuwen, who was a sixth round draft pick this summer after a stellar WHL playoff run, will be one of two goaltenders that the Sabres take to Traverse City. The action should be a good first test after undergoing offseason surgery for a sports hernia that caused him to sit out the Sabres summer development camp.

"My sights are set up there so we'll see what I can do when I get there but what I'm really focusing on right now is getting back into shape, back into proper form so that when I do go there, I do have a shot at making some noise," he said.

***

Also from the WHL, Riley Boychuk has again captured the "Paul Gaustad Fitness Award", an honor bestowed to the winner of the Portland Winterhawks training camp fitness testing (Goose even showed up for the award presentation). In fact, the award is Boychuk's third in a row.

4/30 Recap: Boychuk gets letter; Kass debuts

Riley Boychuk wore an "A" Saturday but was unable to register a point as Portland earned a key 3-2 victory over Spokane to take a 3-2 series lead in the WHL Western Conference Final. The 6'5 wing has four goals and 10 points in the playoffs, but just one assist in the series with Chiefs. Talented 2011 eligible Sven Bartschi triggered the attack with a goal and two assists for the the Winterhawks, who will have an opportunity to close the series out Monday at Spokane for the right to battle Brayden McNabb's Kootenay Ice for the Ed Chynoweth Cup and a ticket to Mississauga for the 2011 Memorial Cup.

In the USHL Western Conference Final, Christian Isackson finished -2 as Sioux Falls lost to Dubuque, 2-1. The six-footer hasn't scored in half a dozen games after scoring three times in the Herd's first two playoff outings. Trailing the best-of-five by a 2-0 margin, the Stampede will need a win at home on Friday to keep their season going. John Gaudreau, a 5'6 Northeastern commit who finished 4th in USHL scoring with 76 points (36+36) scored both goals for the Fighting Saints.

Wrapping up the weekend's play, Zack Kassian made his AHL debut, posting two shots on goal as Portland won game three of the AHL Atlantic Division Final over Binghamton, 3-2. The Windsor product was limited in his effectiveness as he eased his way into the intense playoff series, but something tells me he's going to get into a groove and make an impact when the Pirates look to even the series on Monday.

Kassian joins Pirates

Short and sweet: Zack Kassian has been deployed to Portland of the AHL and could make his pro debut Saturday as the Pirates travel to Binghamton for game #3 of their division final series.

From the Sabres website:

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have reassigned forward Zack Kassian to Portland of the American Hockey League. Kassian was Buffalo’s first-round selection (13th overall) in the 2009 Entry Draft, and signed a three-year entry level contract with the Sabres in November.

The 20-year-old Kassian just completed his fourth year of junior hockey, collecting 16 points (6+10) in 16 playoff games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires. This follows a regular season that saw Kassian finish with 77 points (26+51) in 56 games with Windsor. Kassian also won a silver medal with Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo.

The 6'3 winger finishes his OHL career with and 72 goals, 194 points, and 358 PIM, including 28 fights, in 214 games with Peterborough and Windsor.

4/27 Recap: McNabb keeps stacking; Kassian available

Brayden McNabb (+4) notched two assists Wednesday to extend his playoff point streak to a ridiculous nine games as Kootenay trounced Medicine Hat 7-2 to sweep the WHL Eastern Conference Final four games to love. Max Reinhart (CAL) potted five goals to pace the ICE while McNabb, whose 20 points leads all Canadian junior defensemen in the playoffs, saw his night cut short when he earned a major and game misconduct after scrapping with Tigers forward Emerson Etem with 7:35 to play and the game well in hand.



With the ICE rolling on an eleven-game winning streak, the 6'4 defenseman finds himself one series away from joining former Athol Murray College of Notre Dame teammate Tyler Myers as a Sabres blueline prospect to play in the Memorial Cup. Before that chapter can be written though, Kootenay must first face the winner of the Western Conference Final between Portland and Spokane. (And for those wondering, ICE captain McNabb did not touch the Husky Eastern Conference Championship bowl when it was presented.)

Riley Boychuk made a key play that led to the game winning goal as Portland got past Spokane, 3-2 in overtime. The aggressive forward, who was sent to the box twice in the game for cross-checking (1st period) and slashing (2nd period), chipped the puck from his own zone behind the Chiefs defensemen to create the game winning odd-man rush. The Winterhawks will hold a 2-1 lead when the series resumes Friday in Spokane.

In the OHL, Zack Kassian saw his OHL season come to a close as Windsor got embarrassed by Owen Sound, 10-4. Kassian, who of course was suspended for the game for his game three match penalty, is now eligible for AHL duty if the Sabres want to get the development going with the signed first-rounder. The Attack win the Western Conference Final in five games, not only moving into the OHL Championship against Mississauga, but also earning a berth in the Memorial Cup due to the Majors being this year's host.

Kassian done for series, done with "O"?

After having him sit out game #4 of their Western Conference Final, the OHL officially handed Zack Kassian a four-game suspension Tuesday for his cross-checking match penalty on Attack dman Jesse Blacker in the final minute of Saturday's loss. Monday's game will count towards the four-game penalty. (Included link solely for the picture of Kassian, with his bus pillow, ready for the four-plus hour trek north to OS.)

The Spitfires trail the Attack 3-1, so the tough Sabres prospect will miss the rest of the series if Windsor forces a Game 7. If Windsor loses, then Kassian will have already played the final game of his junior career.

Some excellent perspective on the incident comes courtesy of Yahoo's Sunaya Sapurji, who details among other things how Kassian and Blacker have different accounts of what happened. The incident happened at center ice, behind the play and outside of the scope of any camera in the rink.

Not surprisingly, both players have differing versions of the events.

“I gave him a little slash in the back of the legs and he embellished it,” said Kassian. “He embellished it obviously because he’s playing right now, he’s skating around fine. It got blown out of proportion with my history and all that stuff, but there’s nothing I can do about that now.”

Blacker said what Kassian failed to mention is that after he was knocked down on the ice, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound winger started to whack at him from behind.

“I felt cross-checks raining down on my head and ribs and it didn’t exactly feel good,” said the second-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs. “The fans saw it. I can’t say I embellished it, I’m not the kind of player to dive.”

Kassian then re-states that he's learned from what is turning out to be quite the checkered past. In the past two years, he's been suspended by his team, by the OHL in the regular season, by the IIHF in the World Junior Championships, and again by the OHL in the playoffs.

“Buffalo drafted me to be that hard-nosed player that finishes checks and plays with that edge,” said the LaSalle, Ont., native. “I’m not going to lie, a couple of times in my junior career I went over that edge and I’ll be the first one to admit that. I think I’ve learned a lot over the years in the OHL.”

And despite the fact that he’s been forced to watching his team play, while he’s sitting out on a number of occasions – he’s still not used to being reduced to the role of observer.

“It definitely doesn’t (get easier),” said the Sabres prospect. “When you’re in the playoffs in the Western Conference final, it’s pretty huge because no one expected us to get this far. It just shows how tight this team is, Everyone believes in each other and to not be out there right now helping them fight for our (playoff) lives right now is not fun.”

It remains to be seen whether or not Kassian, who has all the tools to be a legit weapon for the Sabres once he reels it in, will head to Portland in support of the Pirates AHL playoff once Windsor's season concludes. However, I think the Sabres losing to the Flyers in the first round makes it easier to suggest that Kassian will be done when the Spits finish up.

4/25 Recap: Shipley, Kassian on brink of exit

Steven Shipley was unable to register a point for the fourth straight game as Niagara was blown-out by Mississauga, 6-1. The IceDogs now trail the OHL Eastern Conference Final 3-1, with the Majors going for the Tuesday night clinch on home ice. Mississauga’s Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game, while Joe Cramarossa (’11) notched a pair of goals including a shortie for the Memorial Cup hosts.

As previously mentioned, Zack Kassian was forced to sit out as Windsor lost game #4 of the OHL Western Conference Final to Owen Sound, 3-2. The 6’3 bullying wing will learn if he is to miss any additional games when he receives the official disciplinary ruling on Tuesday. The object of Kassian’s Saturday night aggression, defenseman Jesse Blacker, was in action for the Attack in Monday’s victory earning an assist on the game winning goal. Trailing 3-1, the Spits will look to stave off elimination Wednesday in Owen Sound. If they lose, it may not mattter how many games (if any) he is forced to sit, but it may muddy the waters some regarding how the Sabres view their top 2009 pick.

On Sunday, Riley Boychuk skated even as Portland evened the WHL Western Conference Final at a game apiece with a 2-1 win over Spokane. The edgy 6’5 forward has four goals, five assists, and 26 PIM in a dozen playoff games. The series heads to Spokane for a pair of games Wednesday and Friday.

Kassian suspended, full ruling expected Tuesday

Zack Kassian has been suspended for game #4 of the OHL Western Conference after earning a match penalty in the final minute of Saturday's loss to Owen Sound.

From the Windsor Star:

WINDSOR, Ont. -- The Ontario Hockey League has informed the Windsor Spitfires that forward Zack Kassian will be suspended for tonight's Game 4 of the Western Conference final against the Owen Sound Attack. A league spokesman said the suspension could be longer and a decision on that will be announced Tuesday.

Kassian was given a match penalty for intent to injure Owen Sound defenceman and former Spitfire Jesse Blacker in the final seconds of Saturday's 6-4 comeback win by the Attack in Owen Sound.

4/23 Recap: Kass finds trouble; McNabb a machine

Zack Kassian had a game he'd like to forget Saturday, posting an assist but also getting called for a late high sticking penalty to led to the game winning goal as Windsor lost game #3 of the OHL Western Conference Final to Owen Sound, 6-4. But folks, Kassian wasn't done. With :22 left on the clock and the Attack about to pot their capper into the empty net, Kassian received a match penalty with intent to injure by delivering a high cross-check to defenseman Jesse Blacker right at center ice.

The short-fused Kassian, who earlier gloated after earning his second period helper, had been jawing with Blacker throughout the contest and finished the conflict in a rather deplorable way. Expect the 6'3 bruiser to take a seat for Monday's game #4, with his track record of suspensions likely giving OHL commish David Branch some ammo to tack on some extra discipline. I don't like where this is going...More later.

Also from the OHL, Steven Shipley skated even as Niagara dropped game #3 of the OHL's Eastern Conference Final to Mississauga, 3-2 in overtime. Justin Shugg played hero by notching the goal at 3:13 of the extra session. Majors forward Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch for the third straight game, while Shipley has yet to record a point in the series. The Dogs trails the series 2-1 with the teams traveling back to St. Catharines for Monday's game #4.

In the WHL Eastern Conference Final, Brayden McNabb extended his point streak to seven games with an assist as Kootenay shut out Medicine Hat, 3-0. The 6'4 defenseman, who set across-the-board franchise offensive marks for a blueliner this past season, has now tied ICE postseason marks for career playoff assists (24) and career playoff points (27) for a defenseman. Winners of six straight road games and nine straight overall, Kootenay will take a 2-0 series lead into Tuesday's game #3.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson (+1) posted four shots on goal as Sioux Falls defeated Omaha, 5-1, to sweep their best-of-five semifinal. The Stampede, who went hard for the sweep for four second period goals, will move on to face the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the Western Conference Final beginning Friday.

4/21 Recap: Kassian nets winner as Spits pull even

Zack Kassian (+2) scored the game winning goal Thursday as Windsor evened the OHL Western Conference Final at one game apiece with a 4-2 win over Owen Sound. Kassian followed up on a Taylor Carnavale shot to bang in his sixth goal of the playoffs at 1:19 of the third period to give the Spits a crucial 3-2 lead. Windsor would hold on for the remainder of play, with Thomas Kuhnhackl notching his second of the game into an empty net to seal the deal. Kassian, who saw the red-hot Carnavale (4A) replace Kenny Ryan as his center on the #2 line, now has six goals and nine assists in 15 playoff games. He wasn't the most outstanding skater on the ice, but he capitalized with quick hands on his best chance of the night. The clubs now head back north to Owen Sound for Saturday's game #2.

In the OHL's Eastern Conference Final, Steven Shipley did not factor into the scoring as Niagara defeated Mississauga, 5-3. The Dogs victory evens the series at 1-1 heading into Saturday's game #3 in Mississauga. Majors forward Gregg Sutch was scratched for the second straight game.

On Wednesday, Christian Isackson finished +2 with three shots on goal as Sioux Falls opened their USHL second round series with a 5-2 win over Omaha. Game #2 will be played Friday in Omaha.