Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri assigned to AHL's Toronto Marlies

TORONTO - Nazem Kadri's 2011-12 season is going to start in the American Hockey League.

The Toronto Maple Leafs assigned the 21-year-old centre to the AHL's Marlies on Wednesday.

The London, Ont., native played in five pre-season games with the Maple Leafs, collecting two assists.

But the six-foot, 188-pound Kadri suffered a knee injury Sept. 27 at Ottawa and was placed on injured reserve Oct. 1.

Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson said earlier this week Kadri would not accompany the team on its road trip, which starts Thursday in Boston.

Kadri, who has not appeared in a regular-season game this season, had three goals and nine assists for the Leafs in 29 games last season.