LEWISTON — Zack Kassian knows he made a mistake.

"A big mistake," he said.

The Buffalo Sabres' prospect seems eager to atone for it.

Kassian, the Sabres' first-round pick in 2009 who was charged with assault last month, is

attending the team's development camp this week at Niagara University. His on-ice skills in

Dwyer Arena have shown why the Sabres picked him 13th overall, but there's also no doubt his

off-ice moves are worth watching as well.

The 19-year-old was allegedly involved in an early morning confrontation at a bar May 30 in

Windsor, Ont., with the victim suffering a bloody mouth and chipped tooth. After examining the

evidence, police charged Kassian with assault June 2.

"Yeah, it's been tough, but I've learned from it," Kassian said. "I'm just trying to get

better day in and day out, and my main focus right now is to leave a good impression and make

this team."

The altercation occurred shortly after Kassian and the Windsor Spitfires won their second

straight Memorial Cup as champions of junior hockey in Canada. He said he's learned "how fast

things can turn around on you and not to take anything for granted."

Kassian and the Sabres were working toward his first professional contract prior to the

incident. Afterward, the team decided to temporarily suspend negotiations with the 6-foot-3,

210-pound right winger.

"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."

Kassian is scheduled to be arraigned in Ontario provincial court today, and Sgt. Tammy

Fryer of the Windsor Police said Tuesday that Kassian is supposed to appear in person. Seeing

a judge will be quite a change from who Kassian saw upon his arrival at the development camp.

"It started off great," Kassian said. "I walked into the dressing room and I'm sitting

right next to [NHL Rookie of the Year] Tyler Myers, so that's obviously a lot of fun. Just

getting to meet the new guys and the old guys that have been through it, it's just a fun

experience and I'm glad I can be part of it this summer."

Kassian was at Niagara last year shortly after getting drafted, but a foot injury prevented

him from skating with the other prospects.

"It's a lot of fun to get out there right away," he said. "I'm a hockey player, so

obviously I want to be out on the ice. I don't want to be in the weight room while everyone's

on the ice, so this year it's a lot of fun to get off to the start I wanted to."

He wants this winter to be fun as well. He's still hopeful of signing a contract with the

Sabres, who have a need for Kassian's physical style of play. If his mistake forces him to

return to Windsor for one more year of junior hockey, he'll live with it.

"I'm prepared to do anything," Kassian said. "I've thought it all through, and obviously my

heart's here in Buffalo. I want to play for this team and help this team win a [Stanley] Cup.

If so be it, I'll go back to Windsor, be a leader and try to three-peat it [a third straight

Memorial Cup]. ... I'm just here to work hard, and all that stuff will handle itself."

. . .

The Sabres did hand out one contract to a prospect Tuesday. The Sabres have officially

welcomed another Michigan State Spartan to the organization by signing Corey Tropp to a three-

year contract worth $1.76 million.

The right winger had a standout year for Michigan State, which developed Ryan Miller and

Tim Kennedy for the Sabres. Tropp had 20 goals and 22 assists in 37 games in 2009-10, with

nine goals coming on the power play and five recorded as game-winners and was named team MVP.

Tropp is in Lewiston this week. The 20-year-old, who was drafted in the third round in

2007, will start next season with Portland of the American Hockey League.

. . .

Kennedy, a restricted free agent, has elected to use his arbitration rights for a new

contract. He was one of 31 players to opt for arbitration.

The hearings will be July 20-Aug. 4 in Toronto, but teams and players can negotiate until

their hearing.

Kennedy had a base salary of $635,000 last year and, with bonuses, a cap hit of $850,000.

The center recorded 10 goals and 16 assists in 78 games.