There was a time when Zack Kassian almost wore a Montreal Canadiens jersey, and it was at that moment that the rugged forward decided to get back on track.
The beginning of the striker’s career was turbulent, to say the least. He moved to CH in 2015 after the Vancouver Canucks had enough of his off-ice antics.
• Also read: CH: Rafael Harvey-Pinard in uncertainty
• Also read: When is Josh Anderson’s next goal?
• Also read: Jack Hughes: The Devils are holding their breath
The 32-year-old, who has just retired from professional ice hockey, talked about his short stay in the Quebec metropolis in an episode of Frank Seravalli’s podcast “Frankly Speaking”. He still remembers his two meetings with then-Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.
“He’s a very honest guy. I sat in his office. I had just been transferred from Vancouver to Montreal. The reason was problems off the ice in Vancouver. “Bergy” said to me, “We’ll roll out the red carpet for you, but we don’t want any problems outside.” “If you do that, they’ll love you in this city,” Kassian said.
However, on October 4, the Ontarian was involved in a car accident with two women. He suffered fractures to his nose and left foot and was drunk. He was suspended and required to report to the National League’s substance abuse program.
“Two weeks later, after the accident, I was sitting there again and was released by the team,” recalled Kassian, whose name was on waivers before his release.
In better shape, the former first-round pick was eventually traded to the Edmonton Oilers for goaltender Ben Scrivens on December 28, and he restarted in Alberta.
“It really opened my eyes. Marc, I didn’t get to know him very well, but all I heard was that he was an honest guy. The fact that he sat with me before the incident meant a lot to me,” said Kassian.
The Windsor native decided to hang up his boots last month after failing to convince the Anaheim Ducks to offer him a contract. He finished his career with 203 points in 661 games after also playing for the Buffalo Sabers and Arizona Coyotes.