Canadiens F Zack Kassian enters rehab program

A team spokesman says Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian was treated for minor injuries in the hospital after being involved in a auto accident. However, news broke Monday night that Kassian had entered Stage Two of the NHL-NHLPA joint Substance Abuse and Behavioural Health Program.

He’ll be suspended without pay until his doctors determine that he’s fit to return to the ice.

Earlier in the day, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said Kassian showed a “lack of character” when he was involved in the accident. “You have to be respectful”.

The Montreal Canadiens assigned forwards Charles Hudon and Sven Andrighetto to the St. John’s IceCaps of the American Hockey League on Monday in the first of a series of moves to get down to the NHL roster limit of 23 players.

“I’m a firm believer in character, and that’s really a lack of character and judgment on his part”.

Kassian was a passenger in a vehicle that crashed into a tree in the Cote-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grace borough of Montreal at approximately 6:30 a.m. ET on Sunday. A 20-year-old womam was reportedly driving the auto and there was another 18-year-old woman in the truck.

The Canadiens finished last season having scored 214 goals, an average of 2.61 per game, and their power play ranked 23rd in the National Hockey League.

No charges have been filed in the accident, which is under investigation.

“I have to work on making my first pass quicker and I have to play a physical game”, said the 6-foot-6, 225-pounder.

Bergevin hadn’t yet spoken to Kassian and was still gathering details.

“When I was at Princeton, I was battling with a guy named Sean Bonar for three seasons and we had to fight for playing time each week”, said Condon.

Goalie Dustin Tokarski and defenceman Mark Barberio were not at practice and we also expected to be sent down.