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Zack Kassian retires from professional hockey, lands gig with Edmonton Oilers

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Cooper Godin | Last updated Sep 18, 2024 9:24 PM ET

Long-time NHLer Zack Kassian has retired from professional hockey and landed a gig with one of his former clubs, the Edmonton Oilers.

After 12 seasons in the National Hockey League and a brief stint in Europe, former first-round pick Zack Kassian has retired from hockey and has joined the Edmonton Oilers as a pro scout, according to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal.

Kassian was selected 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres back in 2009 but his stint in the NHL with them didn't last long as half-way through his rookie season, he was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks for Cody Hodgson.

The Windsor native native went on to suit up for the Edmonton Oilers and Arizona Coyotes during his career, as well as the aforementioned Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, registering 203 points (92 goals, 111 assists) in 661 career games.

Ahead of the 2023-24 season, Kassian signed a professional tryout with the Anaheim Ducks, which ended up being unsuccessful. A couple weeks after being released, retired, but wasn't on the sidelines for too long as three months later, he signed a contract in the Czech Extraliga with HC Sparta Praha.

Best of luck to Zack Kassian in his next chapter and congratulations on a lengthy career in the National Hockey League.