Zack Kassian embraces opportunity in Edmonton, moves on from troubles in Montreal

Zack Kassian was supposed to play for the Montreal Canadiens this NHL season, but when his truck smashed into a tree in the early hours of a Sunday morning last October, his career with the Habs ended before it began.

Kassian entered rehab after the accident and when he was cleared to return to play, Habs General Manager Marc Bergevin traded him to the Edmonton Oilers.

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"I've ran out of lives (in Montreal) and I'm fine with that. The past is the past.I'm happy to be (in Edmonton). I've really ran away with this opportunity and I'm really going to take advantage of it,"Kassian said to reporters in Ottawa Thursday.

Sadly, I screwed up.- ZackKassian, NHL player

Kassian says he wasn't surprised that Montreal didn't give him a second chance. Kassian had similar behavioural issues when he played in Vancouver and he says when he was traded to Montreal, Bergevin made it clear he was short leash.

"When a GM sits you down and says, 'You're going to get one chance with me,' he's going to stick to his word," Kassian said."Sadly, I screwed up."

Kassian says he is just grateful to be back in the NHL after what happened in Montreal.

After the accident, he spent three months in rehab in California. Hesays it taught him a lot about taking responsibility for himself.

"Maybe before I was always pointing the finger but the only person really to blame is myself and I've accepted that...I've made a lot of gains since that mistake. I've really looked myself in the mirror and know what I have to do to be successful and be an successful NHL player," Kassian said.

It wasn't a given that Kassian would get another chance in the NHL but he says Bergevin didn't hold him back even though he could have by refusing to trade him.

"I want to thank Marc obviously for getting me out of Montreal. Obviously, he could have done a lot of other options...Sadly, I screwed up, but ill take it on the chin."

Kassian also doesn't buy into the narrative that Montreal and its reputation as a party city was to blame for his downfall.

"Montreal is known for a little more nightlife and things like that, but it was where my head was at. From there to now, I've made a lot of gains but I haven't got through this thing yet. It's something I have to stay on top of."

Kassian will play for the Edmonton Oilers in Montreal on Saturday. It will be his first time back on the Bell Centre ice since playing for the Canadiens in the pre-season.