On the day Zack Kassian was drafted into the NHL in 2009, he was absolutely a famous prospect. Central Scouting moved him from No. 24 North American skater in their midterms to No. 10 on the same list by season's end. Chris Edwards from Central Scouting gave rave reviews about Kassian, suggesting he was a unique player among the available talent:
Chris Edwards, Central Scouting: “Kassian is one of the toughest guys in the OHL and probably the entire draft. Last season as an under-ager, there was overage guys in the league who would not take him on.