The hockey world has yet to see the last of former Edmonton Oilers tough guy Zach Kassian.
After announcing his retirement a few months ago, the 33-year-old officially reversed his decision by signing with Czech club Sparta Prague.
Zach Kassian’s return was a surprise. He joined Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic. https://t.co/qrZXv2a19A
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 29, 2024
Kassian last played in the NHL last season with the Arizona Coyotes, but the results were disappointing. In 51 games with the Coyotes, Kassian scored just two goals and was not re-signed.
He tried to stay in the NHL before deciding to retire. He was with the Anaheim Ducks on paid leave before the season began, but was unable to secure his contract and was ultimately released.
Kassian entered the NHL as a first-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabers in the 2009 NHL Draft. He spent one season with the Sabers before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2012 for fellow returnee Cody Hodgson.
The Windsor, Ont., native went through two more trades before finally finding a permanent home with the Oilers in 2015. He spent seven seasons in Alberta’s capital before the team sent him to the desert to free up cap space in the 2022 NHL Draft.
This will be the first time in Kassian’s career that he will play overseas. He joins a Sparta Prague team that features former NHLers such as Vladimir Sobotka, Roman Horak and Josef Kolenar.
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