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Kassian talked with Canucks about ‘being a professional away from the rink’

Zack Kassian

Yesterday, we passed along the news that Zack Kassian had been called back up to the Canucks after a brief stint in the AHL -- a stint that may not have been entirely due to his play on the ice.

Today, Kassian confirmed that he met with management prior to being sent to the Chicago Wolves and chatted about “being a professional away from the rink.”

From The Province:

Canucks brass have refused to say that Kassian was sent to the minors for discipline issues, although you can read what you want into a “basically,” from coach Alain Vigneault.

“He went to Chicago basically to play hockey,” Vigneault said after the morning skate on Thursday. “He had a really strong game and yesterday, after the trade deadline was over, we talked and we decided to bring him back.

“If he plays the way we think he can — a good skating, physical player — he can contribute to our group. He has done it at some moments in the past. He needs to be more consistent, but that can be said about a lot of young players coming into the league. He’ll get another opportunity and hopefully he’ll grab this one.”

Kassian -- who we should mention is only 22 years old and will return to the lineup tonight versus Edmonton -- isn’t the first Canuck to have his love of the nightlife become a topic of conversation.

Lest we forget the life and times of Shane O’Brien in Vancouver.