by By John Vogl - NEWS SPORTS REPORTER , Buffalo News

The Sabres used the 13th overall selection in the NHL entry draft Friday night on Kassian, an 18-year-old forward who was widely considered the toughest player available. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder should eventually fill a need the smallish Sabres have had for years.

"He was a player that we felt strongly about," Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said. "You're always talking about taking the best player, but it's tough to ignore when the needs match up with what you feel is the best player. I think he'll be a real good fit."

Kassian was a dominating force for the Ontario Hockey League's Peterborough Petes, recording 24 goals and 63 points in 61 games to go along with 136 penalty minutes. He had 14 fights and could have had more, but opponents started shying away from the bruiser.

"I try to bring a physical toughness to my game," said Kassian, who had a 42-point increase in his production during his second season with the Petes. "A lot of it had to do with confidence, playing more in my second year and just wanting to show people that I can not only hit and fight, but I can put points on the board, too."

Still, the lasting impression of Kassian's season was a bruising check he put on John Tavares, Friday's first overall pick. Kassian flattened Tavares in January at a prospects game and sent him to the dressing room with a shoulder injury.

The Sabres are in dire need of players like that. Kassian said he's going to work hard to fill that role, though Regier said "it's a reach" to expect Kassian to make the Sabres' roster this fall.

"The work's just starting now," Kassian said. "It's a whole new chapter. I'm going to have to get bigger, stronger, faster and more consistent. Everything in my game is going to have to improve, but I'm willing to work at it in the summer. If I do that, I think I can go to camp and do my best and try to wow them."

Kassian's first on-ice experience came as a youth figure skater, complete with large mouse ears.

"I didn't want to do it, but my mom made me," Kassian said. "I think it's made me a better Hockey player, balance and all that stuff."

The LaSalle, Ont. native grew up as a fan of the Sabres' biggest rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. But Kassian wasted no time appealing to those who cringe at the sound of "Go, Leafs, Go."

"I watched Toronto growing up as a kid, living four hours away and watching them every Saturday night," Kassian said. "They were my team, but now it's the Buffalo Sabres . Toronto? I don't like them at all."

Regier said the Sabres had four offers to move down from the 13th slot, but Kassian was too big of a target to resist. But expect talks to continue today for the Sabres .

They have five more selections, one each in rounds three through seven. They traded their second-round pick last summer in the deal that brought captain Craig Rivet to Buffalo. Regier said he'd like to acquire a second-round spot.

"It's a good second round," Regier said. "It runs for quite a ways, and it's the cost of the acquisition of Craig Rivet. We understand that days like today make it tough, but it still was a good thing for us. We're going to try. We'll see whether we can make some calls."

e-mail: jvogl@buffnews.com

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>Zack Kassian file

Age: 18 Pos: Right wing

Height: 6-3 Weight: 210 pounds

Hometown: LaSalle, Ont.

Junior team: Peterborough Petes

2008-09 statistics: 24 goals, 39 assists, 136 penalty minutes

Quote: "I try to bring a physical toughness to my game."

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