Former Oiler Calls It A Career

Zack Kassian has announced his retirement from the NHL after 12 seasons.

The 32-year-old was known around the league as one of the toughest players in the NHL and someone who was never afraid to drop the gloves.

Drafted 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Kassian would only play 27 games in a Sabres uniform before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks.

In 171 games with Vancouver, Kassian had 32 goals and 59 points while also accumulating 287 penalty minutes.


The bulk of Kassian's career was spent as a member of the Edmonton Oilers.


Seven of Kassian's twelve NHL seasons were spent in Edmonton, as he was brought in to give the team some extra toughness in Connor McDavid's rookie season.

After 412 games in an Oilers uniform, Kassian totaled 135 points and 556 penalty minutes.

In a move that saw Edmonton shedding salary, Kassian was traded at the 2022 NHL draft to the Arizona Coyotes where he played his final season, tallying two goals in 51 games.