Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian has entered a substance abuse program one day after being involved in a car accident that left him with a broken nose and broken left foot.
The NHL and NHL Players Association said in a statement Monday that Kassian “has been placed in Stage Two of the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.”
WATCH: Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian has entered stage two of the NHL/NHLPA’s rehab program following a car accident on Sunday that left him with a broken nose and foot. Rob Leth reports.
Under the terms of the program, the Canadiens forward will be suspended without pay until cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.
WATCH: Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian injured in car crash
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin told reporters Monday the incident showed “a lack of character and judgment.”
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“I do not have all the information, but it is disappointing to say the least,” Bergevin said. “You have to be respectful. You’re lucky to be hockey players.
“I’m a firm believer in character, and that’s really a lack of character and judgment on his part.”
WATCH: The Montreal Canadiens react as forward Zack Kassian is treated for minor injuries after being involved in a traffic accident Sunday.
The accident happened early Sunday morning when a truck crashed into a tree around 6 a.m.
Police told The Montreal Gazette a 20-year-old woman was driving the truck and was accompanied by a 24-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman.
Kassian, a native of Windsor, Ont., was traded to Montreal from Vancouver on July 1 for forward Brandon Prust and a 2016 fifth-round draft pick.
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