Former Spitfires making their mark

By Kenton Wolfe

Two former Memorial Cup winning Windsor Spitfires are making their mark in professional hockey despite the NHL lockout.

Zack Kassian and Scott Timmins faced off Oct. 27 in Rosemont, Ill. in an American Hockey League matchup between Kassian’s Chicago Wolves and Timmins’s San Antonio Rampage.

The pair won the Memorial Cup together in 2010, spending much of the championship run on the same line. Despite now wearing different uniforms, they haven’t forgotten what the Spitfires did for them.

“It was awesome,” said Kassian. “I think I learned a lot of life lessons, along with playing a pro-style game. The coaching staff does a real good job of developing you so when you do move on to your professional career, you expect it and are ready for it.”

Bob Boughner and the Spitfires management have been preparing players for professional hockey since their purchase of the team in 2006, churning out more than a dozen NHL draft picks. Kassian was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2009, while Timmins was selected by the Florida Panthers the same year. With the NHL lockout into its fourth month, Timmins plays for the Panthers farm team the Rampage, while Kassian plays for the Vancouver Canucks farm team the Wolves. Kassian was traded to Vancouver at the 2012 NHL trade deadline.

“They run it like a pro team,” said Timmins. “They make the transition easy coming into pro like that. They treat you well when you deserve and leave you really prepared. Everyone knows there are some real big names coming out of that club.”

Both Timmins and Kassian have impressed their coaches with their transition to professional hockey. Kassian’s physically dominating game is what has made him so successful, according to Wolves head coach Scott Arniel.

“He’s got to play that heavy game he’s got to be a threat every time he touches the puck,” said Arniel. “He’s got to use his size and forchecking, and using his body in front of the net. When he’s doing that he’s real noticeable. He has real good touch and real good hands. Combine those and he is a strong power forward in this league.”

With the NHL lockout seemingly having no end in sight, Kassian and Timmins will continue to play with their respective clubs.

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