Zack Kassian suspended without pay; enters 'Stage Two' of substance abuse program
Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian has been placed in Stage Two of the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, both the league and the PA announced Monday afternoon.
Kassian is suspended without pay until he is “cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.”
The news comes shortly after Kassian was the passenger in a car accident at around 6 a.m. ET Sunday. On Monday, Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said Kassian broke his nose and left foot in the crash.
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"I'm a firm believer in character, and that's a lack of character on his part," Bergevin said. "I do not have all the information, but it is disappointing to say the least.”
Added Bergevin, "Perfection is not a part of this world but if mistakes keep happening then maybe there's a pattern here.”
TSN's Bob McKenzie tweeted out the differenes between Stage One and Stage Two of the program:
On NHL-NHLPA program (Kassian), Stage 1 can be voluntary or mandatory depending on circumstances but there is rarely public acknowledgement.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 5, 2015
Stage 1 is with pay. But any violation of Stage 1 conditions (can be very strict) leads to automatic entry to Stage 2, suspended without pay
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 5, 2015
There is always public acknowledgment of Stage 2 because the player is suspended without pay. Once in Stage 2, only doctors can reinstate.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 5, 2015
Montreal acquired Kassian in July for a trade that sent Brandon Prust and a 2016 fifth-round draft pick to the Vancouver Canucks. Kassian was the 13th overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft, selected by the Buffalo Sabres. He has scored 66 points in 198 games over his NHL career.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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