Chris Mason News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Jets' Mason first to throw no-no at Sens this season

January 17

Winnipeg Free Press

"It was a term Claude Noel threw out in his post-game media scrum, not long after the Winnipeg Jet head coach was heard referring to netminder Chris Mason as 'a stallion' while slapping the man of the moment on the back. But this one seems much more fitting: "He's a battler," said Noel of his veteran goalie. "He gives us what he has and he's well respected by his teammates. He was really good for us." Yes, in a game thick with storylines, Mason served one of the meatiest by kicking out all 25 of the shots he faced in a 2-0 win over the Ottawa Senators that was critical in helping prevent his squad from flatlining."

This time, Mason foils 'Eller' on penalty shot

January 10

Winnipeg Free Press

"There were no fights in Jets practice Monday, but there were some raised voices, mostly in an amusing way. While the team practised shootouts, Alexander Burmistrov came down on veteran goalie Chris Mason and tried to duplicate the penalty-shot move that Montreal's Lars Eller used on Mason last week, a spinarama backhand deposit into the net."

Mason back between the pipes

November 12

Winnipeg Sun

"Chris Mason could have done without a two-week interruption to his season. But since he was removed from injured reserve on Friday, the Winnipeg Jets backup goalie is simply focusing on doing what it takes to get back to where he was before suffering a groin injury during a relief appearance in a 9-8 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 27. "I felt great and that's the part that bothered me about this whole thing. When you get that feeling and something like this happens, your focus has to shift a little bit to getting those moments back and being able to function properly," said Mason, who is 1-2 with a 2.68 goals against average and .898 save percentage in four appearances with the"

NHL, union must take action to help players: Mason

September 2

Toronto Sun

"Winnipeg Jets veteran goalie Chris Mason says the NHL and the players union need to take action after three players died within a few months this off-season. "We all have to take a look at this situation because it seems like there is a pattern developing here," Mason said after skating at the MTS IcePlex in Winnipeg Thursday. "This may just be a terrible coincidence but if it's not, you have to find out warning signs for these things and take the proper precautions and treatments. It's definitely something that everybody is going to be taking a look at now and they are going to be doing everything they can to prevent this from happening." Former NHL enforcer Wade Belak was found dead in a"

Mason first Jet to land

August 23

Toronto Sun

"You know fans are jazzed up about the return of the Winnipeg Jets when a backup goalie going for a skate causes a stir. Chris Mason became the first member of the Jets to hit the practice rink in Winnipeg Monday, skating at the MTS IcePlex. He also signed autographs and debuted his new Iron Maiden Winnipeg Jets hockey mask. Mason, who arrived in Winnipeg Sunday night, said being in the city, touring the MTS Centre and getting on the ice make the move of the Atlanta Thrashers to Manitoba "seem real.""

Mason: Ownership not 100 percent behind Thrashers

May 25

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Chris Mason feels for Thrashers fans. The goaltender - and the rest his teammates - are in the same place. Limbo. While the Atlanta Spirit and True North Sports and Entertainment continued negotiations Tuesday on a deal that would sell and relocate the Thrashers to Winnipeg, Manitoba, fans and players wait for official word about the team's future. "Everybody is feeling different things," Mason told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday. "Everybody is in limbo. I keep getting phone calls [about various news reports]. It's unnerving. You don't know what's going on and you can only wait and see how it all plays out. ... You've got guys sitting here not know what is going on. "The"

Thrashers place Chris Mason on IR

January 17

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"As I tweeted this morning, goaltender Chris Mason was placed on injured reserve Monday with a lower-body injury. I believe it's his right knee. The Thrashers recalled Peter Mannino of AHL Chicago to serve as Ondrej Pavelec's backup tonight in Florida. Mannino was with the Thrashers earlier this season when Pavelec was out. He appeared in one game in relief of Mason and stopped 15-of-16 shots against Tampa Bay."

Chris Mason to be re-evaluated Sunday after leaving game in first period with injury

January 16

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The losses are mounting for the Thrashers. On Saturday, it was another game and a goaltender. Chris Mason was lost early in the game with a lower-body injury, and the Thrashers lost to Dallas 6-1 in a fight-filled and hard-hitting game Saturday night at American Airlines Center. Trevor Daley and James Neal each scored twice for the Stars, who handed the Thrashers their fourth consecutive loss and ninth in the past 12 games (3-7-2). The Stars were 3-for-5 on the power play and Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay singled the special-team unit out as the reason for the team's slump. "Special teams, especially penalty killing, are the ultimate team game," Ramsay said. "That's where everybody has to"

Mason stops 52 of 55 shots as Thrashers scratch out 4-3 win over Panthers

November 4

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Last summer the Atlanta Thrashers signed goalie Chris Mason to a 2-year contract that pays an average of $1.85 mil per season. Given the amount of shots he has faced so far this season…a league-high 394 in 11 games played…they certainly are getting a lot of work out of him for their money. Wednesday night alone in south Florida, Mason was called upon 55 times to stop the puck. He was successful 52 times. That was just enough to allow his skaters the time to get four past Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun to escape with a 4-3 win. Yes, you heard me right. I said fifty-five…five-freakin'-five…shots allowed on goal. That, my friends, is just a pant-load of shots to face in one night, and coach"

Mason to face Panthers, Pavelec to face Blue Jackets

November 3

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay said Chris Mason will start in goal Wednesday at Florida and Ondrej Pavelec will get the start Thursday against Columbus at Philips Arena. It will be Pavelec's first start at home since he lost consciousness and collapsed in the season opener Oct. 8. Getting Pavelec the home start was the determining factor in setting the rotation, according to Ramsay. "Mason deserves to play, of course, because he's been so good," Ramsay said. "He's had a couple days rest. He should be ready to go in Florida. It's time for Pavelec to play a home game. With the back-to-back, it just made sense.""

October 30

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Chris Mason's first trip to Scottrade Center this season is about a month after he expected it to happen. It'll be in a different sweater, too. Four months ago, Mason thought he was maybe just a day away, perhaps even hours, from signing a contract extension with the Blues and continuing as the club's starting goaltender. Then, the phone rang and Mason learned that the Blues had acquired Jaroslav Halak, which meant Mason was finished in St. Louis and headed to free agency. Mason signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract with the Atlanta Thrashers, who visit Scottrade Center at 7 tonight. He has started nine of the team's 10 games this season, but after playing Friday night against Buffalo,"

Chris Mason agrees to deal with Thrashers

July 2

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Former Blues goaltender Chris Mason will still be a No. 1 netminder in the NHL, but he'll be paid significantly less than if he stayed in St. Louis. Mason, 34, agreed to a two-year, $3.7 million contract with the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday. According to reports, he will make $1.6 million in 2010-11 and $2.1 million in 2011-12. Two weeks ago, the Blues were offering Mason a multiyear deal averaging more than $3 million per season. The Blues were close to striking a deal with Mason, but in the midst of negotiations, the team made a trade with Montreal for goaltender Jaroslav Halak. That ended negotiations and Mason became a free agent. Mason played two seasons with the Blues, compiling a"

Chris Mason admits he was "shocked" by Halak trade

June 18

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Goalie Chris Mason got a phone call from incoming Blues general manager Doug Armstrong today. The reason for the call was to tell Mason the team was headed in a different direction. "I was pretty shocked," Mason said. "I thought we were really close to getting a deal done. We had been talking the last couple of weeks, and I felt pretty good about getting a deal done this week. I was really surprised and not in a good way. But you understand it's hockey, and they're going in a different direction, which is out of my control." Mason said regarding the contract negotiations withthe Blues, "there was a deal to be had, it was just a matter of getting confirmation and getting everything in"

Blues begin contract talks with Chris Mason

June 9

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Blues have finally offered definition to their goaltending plans for next season, opening discussions this week on a contract extension for Chris Mason. Nearly two months have passed since the end of the Blues' season, but with three weeks left before the start of free agency, the club says there's plenty of time to get a deal done with its starter of the past 1½ seasons. "We all know the ground rules," Blues President John Davidson said. "It sounds generic, but it depends on dollars and depends on terms. Both sides have to decide what they want to do or it'll go to July 1." Mason will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Having already stated his desire to remain a Blue, Mason"

Mason hopes to return, cites consistent play

April 12

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Other than a "tough month of December," Blues goaltender Chris Mason believes that he turned in a steady season in 2009-10 and that combining his two-year totals with the team, he is a No. 1 netminder in the NHL. Mason, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, finished the season with a record of 30-22-8, which gave him a career high in victories and made him one of only 14 goalies in the league to post 30-plus wins. He closed with a goals-against average of 2.53 and a save percentage of .913. "I don't think I had a point where I bottomed out, or stayed in a slump for a long time," said Mason, who will turn 34 on April 20. "Other than December, which was my"

Blues react to Chris Mason's comments

April 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Perhaps it was fitting that in the game that probably ended the Blues' chances of completing another miraculous playoff bid, the team lost because it couldn't hold on to the lead. The Blues were in a must-win predicament Thursday because of so many blown leads earlier in the season. And the fact that the lesson had been ignored, or at least the response to the situation failed to measure up, didn't sit well with goaltender Chris Mason. Following the Blues' 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators, a game in which they led 2-0 in the second period, Mason vented his frustration with the inconsistency in the individual efforts. "I'm definitely not going to single anybody out, but some guys showed"

Mason struggles again in Denver as Avalanche bury Blues

March 7

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"It's safe to say Chris Mason will never become an employee of the Denver Chamber of Commerce. The Blues goaltender had another short evening at the Pepsi Center on Saturday, absorbing an onslaught that sent him to the bench for his second straight appearance in Colorado as the Avalanche rudely snapped the Blues' five-game win streak with a commanding 7-3 victory. The loss at least temporarily snuffed out the good vibes surrounding a Blues team that entered Saturday on a major roll. But the St. Louis players know they have plenty of time to make another late-season run to the playoffs. Not, though, if their defense plays as it did on Saturday night. "You definitely have to give (Colorado)"

Mason, Blues believe team can repeat sprint to the playoffs

March 2

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"Let's see…where were we? When the NHL went on its Olympic break a little more than two weeks ago, the Blues were in the process of starting another dazzling stretch run in an effort to secure one of the coveted eight Western Conference playoff spots. The Blues reeled off consecutive victories over Detroit, Toronto and Washington and were just four points out of the eighth and final playoff spot. "We did it last year…who says we can't do it again?" asked defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, referring to the team's second-half dash that earned them the sixth-best record in the conference and a playoff spot. "We have the same exact guys in the room," he said. "If anything, we've added better players."

Mason redeems himself with 39 saves, Blues beat Red Wings

February 10

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"Chris Mason found out very early Tuesday morning that he was going to start in goal for the Blues against the Detroit Red Wings. Rocked for five goals on 15 shots in a 5-2 loss at Colorado Monday night, Mason redeemed himself in a big way Tuesday night. Mason made 39 saves as the Blues continued their mastery over the Wings in a 4-3 shootout victory at Scottrade Center. Mason saved his finest stop for the final shot of the shootout when he stopped the dangerous Henrik Zetterberg with a pad save after Brad Boyes scored against Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard to give the Blues a 2-1 edge in the shootout. "I was really thankful for the opportunity," said Mason of Coach Davis Payne's decision to"

Mason has rough night, so do the Blues in 5-2 loss to Colorado

February 9

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"It's still way too cold outside for an NHL team to be playing for its playoff life, but that's what the St. Louis Blues are doing. They didn't do themselves any favors on a chilly Monday night in the Mile High City. The Blues, a strong enemy-arena team and a lousy one at home for much of the season, reversed that trend and absorbed a series of body blows from the Colorado Avalanche during a telling second-period stretch at the Pepsi Center. Colorado's 5-2 victory lowered the Blues' record to an even 25-25-9, and if coach Davis Payne's guys don't produce some points soon to move up in the Western Conference standings, they will be slogging through the last couple of months competing solely"

Blues lose ugly as Mason is pulled

February 9

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"A game that began with much optimism for the Blues — two goals from their defensemen and a tie score against Colorado after the first period — turned into one of the team's messiest performances this season. Particularly for goaltender Chris Mason. Colorado's three-goal second period chased Mason from the game and sent the Avalanche on their way to a 5-2 victory over the Blues, who looked lethargic considering their playoff lives are on the line. "I thought there were a few guys that played with (urgency), but not enough," Blues coach Davis Payne said. The club dropped its third straight game and lost for the fifth time in its last seven games, remaining seven points out of a playoff spot"

Latest hire is just fine with Mason as the Blues fill Wamsley's position

January 19

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Blues' Chris Mason was doing fine without a goaltending consultant, but he was thrilled Monday to learn the club had hired Tyler Love to fill the vacant position. In fact, it was Mason who recommended Love to the Blues. The team had been without a goalie coach since Jan. 2, when assistant Rick Wamsley was assigned to be the head coach in Peoria. Last week, Ed Belfour abruptly left the organization, following speculation that he had turned down the open position. "The (organization) was brainstorming and I mentioned Tyler's name and left it up to the coaches and management to decide," Mason said. "I'm really glad they're giving him the opportunity." Mason has spent the last two"

As long as Mason is hot, he will play

January 17

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"Blues Coach Davis Payne likes to ride the goalie with the hot hand and right now, Chris Mason is the man. Mason started his sixth straight game Saturday night against the Rangers, fresh off a 1-0 shutout of Minnesota at home Thursday. Last year, Mason played an unreal 33 consecutive games and was an integral part of the Blues' second-half surge to earn a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Could a similar run be in store for 2010? "I do whatever I'm told," said Mason. "If that's what I'm told to do, I'll do it. If not, I'm not going to complain." The fact is, Mason is back on top of his game again, which is good news to the Blues. He was outstanding for much of the first half of this season,"

Mason gets 1-0 shutout as Blues win third straight game

January 15

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"Chris Mason didn't see much rubber in the first two periods, but when he did, he came up big Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild. The Blues' goaltender turned aside all 19 shots and T.J. Oshie scored his ninth goal early in the third period to lift the Blues to their third straight win, a 1-0 decision before a sellout crowd of 19,150 at Scottrade Center. The shutout was the first of the season for Mason, who admitted it was difficult to get into a rhythm as Minnesota managed just nine shots the first two periods. "It's difficult, but obviously you try and stay focused and keep your head in it," said Mason. "You've got to be there when it happens, but it is definitely tougher than"

Zanon, Mason 2 bald peas in a pod

October 24

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Take a look at side-by-side pictures of St. Louis goalie Chris Mason and Wild defenseman Greg Zanon, and they might as well be brothers. Chrome-headed. Beard. "We could have been separated at birth," Mason said, laughing. They also have another thing in common. They both lunge their bodies in front of high-speed pucks. The difference is Zanon isn't wearing a mask, full chest protector and 34-inch leg pads. "I loved playing behind Zooch in Nashville," Mason said. "People don't notice his skill, but when you're a goalie killing penalties, you see it from certain defensemen. He was the best I've ever seen at clearing pucks and getting pucks down the ice. "He puts his body on the line every"

No waffling on St. Louis Blues goalie Chris Mason

October 21

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Blues backup goaltender Ty Conklin was coming off a shutout over Anaheim on Saturday, but coach Andy Murray said there was no doubt which netminder to start against Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Chris Mason was back in net for the Blues, a decision Murray said was made before Conklin's 26-save performance against the Ducks. "Our decision was made before Ty played the game in Anaheim ... no matter what the circumstances were (afterward), Chris Mason was going to play the game here tonight against Pittsburgh," Murray said. "Chris has played really well. We would have no reason not to go back to our No. 1 goaltender at this point. That is how we will proceed in the early part of the season here.""

When things get hairy, Blues hope to count on Mason

September 25

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Everywhere Chris Mason goes, people want the Blues goaltender to answer the same question. Sure, fans ask if Mason can pick up where he left off in the second half of last season, but that's not what has aroused most interest. Instead, many are wondering when he'll grow his bushy, red beard again. "Some people I haven't seen in months are saying, 'Oh man, I wish you had the beard,' " Mason said. "Everybody is asking me when I'm going to start growing it again. We'll see ... I'll have to pick a good time." Mason's jovial personality shines through with fans and media, but it's also infectious with his teammates. Many believe the fact that the Blues relish playing in front of Mason helped"