Announcement: Zack Kassian Speaks Out on Brain Damage He Suffered:
In a somber announcement, former Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, and Arizona Coyotes tough guy, Zack Kassian, has officially retired from professional hockey. His retirement sheds light on the toll his career took on his health.
Kassian recently revealed that a critical incident marked the turning point in his career. While many believed it was a later fight against the Habs' new tough guy, Arber Xhekaj, Kassian pinpointed a 2021 encounter with former Philadelphia Flyer Zack MacEwen as the catalyst for his decline.
"I was never the same after what happened against MacEwen in 2021. The human brain [is peculiar], something happens like that, and it's very hard to become the same afterward,"
expressed Kassian.Although Xhekaj wasn't directly responsible, the incident occurred during a fight between MacEwen and Kassian in a pre-season game. MacEwen, not expecting to knock out Kassian himself, inadvertently became a part of the unfortunate event.
The 2021 fight left Kassian knocked out and forever changed. This pivotal moment ultimately led to the decline of his playing abilities, culminating in his recent retirement. Throughout his NHL career, Kassian amassed 203 points, scoring 92 goals and providing 111 assists.
| POLL | ||
Were you a fan of Kassian in Edmonton? | ||
| Yes | 182 | 75.5 % |
| No | 59 | 24.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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