In a thrilling announcement on Saturday, the Edmonton Oilers revealed their latest addition to the scouting team – none other than former forward Zack Kassian. With a career spanning an impressive 13 years, Kassian bid farewell to the NHL on Oct. 26, 2023, before embarking on this exciting new chapter as a pro scout for the Oilers.
During his time on the ice, Kassian displayed his exceptional talent while playing for the Oilers from 2015-16 to 2021-22. His contributions to the team were truly unmatched as he left a lasting impact on the franchise. Even after retiring, Kassian continued to pursue his passion for hockey, spending a brief period of the 2023-24 season in Czechia with Sparta Praha, where he showcased his skills in eight exhilarating games.
Drafted an impressive 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2009, Kassian’s remarkable journey in the world of hockey included a standout performance that helped Canada secure a silver medal at the 2011 World Juniors. Hailing from Windsor, Ont., Kassian’s legacy is cemented in his 661 career NHL games, where he scored an incredible 92 goals and tallied 203 points while playing for teams such as the Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Oilers, and Arizona Coyotes.
The Oilers didn’t stop there with their roster upgrades, as they made additional front office moves to bolster the organization. Warren Rychel was promoted to director of pro scouting, while Aaron Nagy joined as an amateur scout. Erik Elenz took on the role of video and analytics coaching coordinator, Dominik Zrim became the director of hockey strategy, and David Evanochko assumed the position of lead solutions architect. With a powerhouse team like this, the Oilers are gearing up for an exciting season ahead.
