Sabres prospects Zack Kassian and Marcus Foligno are returning to Buffalo this month. The duo was named to Canada's world junior team this morning, according to TSN.ca.
Kassian, the Sabres' first-round pick in 2009, has been on a point-producing run since being one of the final cuts of Buffalo's training camp. The physical forward has 15 goals and 48 points in 25 games with Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League.
Foligno, Buffalo's fourth-round pick in 2009, was considered a long shot to make the Canadian squad. But he's got 15 goals and 33 points in 28 games with Sudbury of the OHL and scored three times this week during Canada's camp.
"The biggest thing for me is the forecheck," the Buffalo-born forward told the Canadian Press. "I've got to skate, beat their defence to the puck and try to spend as much time as possible in the offensive zone.
"I'm here to play an energy role, to hit, backcheck and work hard at both ends and hopefully be a guy they can rely on to get the job done."
Sabres defense prospects Brayden McNabb and Mark Pysyk were cut from camp.
Hockey Canada is expected to make the announcements official today. Prospects guru and birthday boy Kris Baker has more on the selection process at SabresProspects.com.
---John Vogl
