By Angelo Montilla

Staff Sports Reporter

Zack Kassian returned to the Windsor Spitfires in style.

Kassian, who made an impression at Buffalo Sabres training camp, was returned to the Spits where the six-foot-three, 205-pound winger scored a goal and added three assists in a 6-3 win over the Sudbury Wolves last week.

Kassian played in four pre-season games with the Sabres, recording an assist and throwing bone-crunching hits while playing on a line with rookie Tyler Ennis and veteran Rob Nieder-mayer.

“I’ve been watching the NHL since I was a little kid, and now to finally play it’s kind of surreal,” Kassian told buffalo-news.com.

“You’re kind of stuck in the moment, but once you realize they’re just human beings out there playing hockey and playing the game you love, you get used to it.”

Although the Sabres opted to send Kassian back to the Spitfires, reports last week suggested Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier was interested in re-opening negotiations on a entry-level deal with the LaSalle native.

“We’ve talked about entering into talks with him,” Regier told buffalonews.com “The conversations I’ve had were that we would at some point resume negotiations but we haven’t yet.”

Kassian wasn’t the only Spitfire returned to Windsor.

Defenceman Ryan Ellis was returned to the Spitfires after participating in the Nashville Predators training camp. Shortly after returning to Windsor, the Spitfires named Ellis team captain.

“It’s a great honour to be captain of the Spitfires and to follow in the footsteps of Mickey Renaud and Harry Young, previous captains of our club during my career in Windsor,” Ellis said.

“I look forward to leading our young and talented team this season in the same manner both Mickey and Harry did. This is a unique opportunity for myself.

“Windsor is a second home for me and I’m excited to be the new captain of the Windsor Spitfires.”

Head coach Bob Jones believes Ellis is the right player to lead a young Spitfires team in search for a third straight Memorial Cup.

“Ryan’s leadership, skills and experience will be a huge asset to our young team,” Spits head coach Bob Jones said.

“We couldn’t think of a more deserving young man and player to lead our team.”