LEWISTON — LEWISTON — Stepping in from the scorching heat to the chilly confines of Niagara University’s Dwyer Arena might have fazed some of the prospects at this week’s Sabres Development Camp.

But for Zack Kassian, the extremes must have felt eerily routine.

Kassian’s ride through the past 12 months has been replete with highs and lows. After being drafted in the first round by the Sabres, he couldn’t skate due to a foot injury. He started the Ontario Hockey League season with Peterborough, but was sent to the reigning Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires midway through the year. After serving a 20-game suspension for a hit to the head of Barrie’s Matt Kennedy, Kassian scored seven times in 19 games as the Spitfires repeated as CHL champs.

Just when it looked as if Kassian’s wild ride would end on a high note, he was charged with assault after a bar fight in downtown Windsor.

The Sabres, who were counting on the punishing forward to eventually add some meat up front, backed away slightly, severing contract talks.

Now back at his second Development Camp, and this time as a participant, Kassian insists he’s learned from his mistakes and understands why the team stopped negotiations. 

“They were upset, obviously,” Kassian said. “No team likes to hear that news. But I’m young. It’s a mistake. It’s a big mistake, but I’ve learned from it and I think I’ve become a better person from it.”

After Wednesday’s arraignment in Windsor, Kassian was back in camp on Thursday, throwing his weight around during the annual scrimmage at Dwyer. He’s likely at least a year away from making the Sabres roster, but that hasn’t squashed his spirit, and with a mentality as bruising as Kassian’s, it’s tough to say what the future could hold.

He could very well make the roster, but with a past that’s now checkered with a suspension and an arrest, the future is uncertain.

“It’s been tough, but I’ve learned from it. I’m just trying to get better day in and day out,” he said. “My main focus now is to leave a good impression and try to make this team.”

His Windsor coach, former Sabre Bob Boughner, only spent a few months with the winger, but hopes for the best.

“He feels bad enough about the situation that happened and remorseful for the publicity its caused,” Boughner told the Windsor Star. “You can only hope he’s learned from it.”

Kassian insists he has, although he’s hardly been timid during the camp. His big hits punctuated a message that he hopes to make the team’s roster.

If he sticks, it’ll simply be another extreme.

“Obviously, my heart’s here in Buffalo. I want to play for this team and help this team win a Cup,” he said.

DEVELOPMENT CAMP

• WHEN: 11 a.m. today

• WHERE: Dwyer Arena

• WHAT: The final session of a five-day camp at Niagara’s Dwyer Arena. The team had a scrimmage on Thursday. 

• INSIDE: Gerbe’s ‘record’ helping him develop. 2B