Steve Mason News: Pro Sports Daily

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October 3

Columbus Dispatch

"As goaltender Steve Mason was setting NHL records and carrying the Blue Jackets to their first Stanley Cup playoffs last season, shooters from around the league were taking notes. These mental observations of Mason's vulnerabilities -- compiled and shared among opposing players and coaches -- became "the book" on Mason and, although this book isn't published, there's one on every goaltender. "Anytime you play a team more than once, there's a book on you," Mason said. "When we played teams toward the end of the season, I could tell guys were picking up on my weaknesses." The book on Mason was pretty short: Shoot high glove. The book on the Blue Jackets' 2009-10 season might be just as ..."

Red Hot Blue Jacket

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August 2

Toronto Sun

"One of the few awkward moments in Steve Mason's sensational first NHL season happened at the league's awards show last month in Las Vegas. The Columbus Blue Jackets goalie watched normally soft-handed Chicago Blackhawks scorer Pat Kane and a former London Knights teammate struggle to open an envelope revealing his Calder Trophy successor as rookie of the year. "I was sitting there saying to myself, 'Kaner, just get that thing open and put me out of my misery,'" Mason said with a grin. "And when I went on stage (after winning it), I shook Luc Robitaille's hand, then went in for a hug with Pat but the trophy was in between us and there wasn't a lot of room.""

Opening offer a disappointment for Nash

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July 2

Columbus Dispatch

"It didn't take long for the Blue Jackets' contract negotiations with captain Rick Nash to take a contentious turn. After meeting with his agent, Joe Resnick, Nash told The Dispatch last night that the initial offer from Jackets general manager Scott Howson fell short of what he had in mind. Nash watched yesterday's free-agent spending spree, with NHL teams continuing to shower elite players with huge contracts, and said he expected more from the Blue Jackets. "There were tons of teams throwing some pretty big money around," Nash said. "If this doesn't get done, I'm sure I won't have a problem getting signed by somebody next summer." Neither Howson nor Nash revealed details of the proposal, ..."

New goaltenders coach gets rave reviews from Mason

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June 27

Columbus Dispatch

"It has been an offseason filled with awards and rewards for Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason. He earned NHL Rookie of the Year honors last week and was named a second-team All-Star. Mason also treated himself to a new car, a Mercedes-Benz SL63. The most important acquisition, however, might be the goaltenders coach who will greet him at training camp in September. Mason, 21, is eager to work again with Dave Rook, who helped transform him into one of the best goaltenders coming out of junior hockey. "To work with him for an entire season at the NHL level is only going to bode well for myself, and I think it will be a good opportunity for him," Mason said yesterday. Rook will be ..."

Where does goalie rank in Columbus' best years?

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June 19

Columbus Dispatch

columnist Rob Oller

"Besides possessing the knack to play well with sticks, Steve Mason and Jack Nicklaus would not seem to have much in common. But by winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie last night, Mason joins the Golden Bear in select company. The Blue Jackets goaltender becomes one of only a handful of professional athletes with strong Columbus ties to receive a substantial honor for a single-season performance. By winning the Calder, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, Mason not only brings the Blue Jackets out of the background for a day, but it places a more lasting historical stamp on the 21-year-old Canadian. He joins a list of Columbus-connected ..."

Blue Jackets' Mason named NHL's top rookie

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June 19

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason won the Calder Memorial Trophy tonight at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas. The award is given annually to the league's top rookie based on voting by members of the Professional Hockey Writer's Association. Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash was named winner of the NHL Foundation Award, recognizing a player's "commitment and service to charities in his community." Mason, 21, also was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy -- given to the NHL's top goaltender -- which went to Boston's Tim Thomas. Mason led the NHL in shutouts (10), was second in goals-against average (2.29), tied for ninth in wins (33) and 11th in save percentage (.916). He helped steer the Blue ..."

Mason thanks family, Blue Jackets for honor

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June 19

Columbus Dispatch

"The Blue Jackets tore it up in Las Vegas last night. Goaltender Steve Mason won the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL's top rookie, and captain Rick Nash won the NHL's Foundation Award, recognizing his charity work. "It's a great night for the Blue Jackets," Mason said. "We were very well represented." Mason also was named to the NHL's second All-Star Team and the All-Rookie Team, capping a season in which he made a meteoric rise out of the Canadian junior system to rank among the top 10 in almost every statistical category. "It's a great way to wrap up a pretty incredible season for myself," Mason told The Dispatch by telephone. "I'm the only person who gets credit with an award ..."

Odds favor Jackets' Mason in Las Vegas

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June 18

Columbus Dispatch

"Steve Mason, who turned 21 last month, flew to Las Vegas yesterday. But this won't be the typical young guy's first-time soiree through Sin City. For one thing, the Blue Jackets rookie goaltender will have his mother, his girlfriend and a slew of family members in his traveling party, not to mention his boss, Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson. And contrary to the slogan "Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," Mason is hoping to bring something home. "It'll be a different kind of fun," Mason said. "But it's going to be a blast, for sure." Mason is the favorite for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given annually to the NHL's top rookie, at tonight's awards show in the Palms Casino ..."

Mason's great, but he needs support

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May 19

Columbus Dispatch

columnist Michael Arace

"Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason, 20, yesterday was named NHL Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News. He is the odds-on favorite to win the Calder Trophy, and he will stand with the finalists for the Vezina, when the league has its award show in Las Vegas one month hence. This is heady stuff for a glory-starved hockey market. How about the Big Kid? Mason put the Jackets on his back and carried them to their first playoff appearance. He was 33-20-7 with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. He was at or near the head of a sterling class of rookies, which included Bobby Ryan, Kris Versteeg, Steven Stamkos, T.J. Oshie, Jake Voracek, Drew Doughty, Luke Shenn, Zach ..."

Mason on Vezina short list

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April 28

Columbus Dispatch

"Blue Jackets rookie goaltender Steve Mason has never been to Las Vegas. His first trip is setting up to be memorable. The NHL announced yesterday that Mason is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given annually to the league's top goaltender. Boston's Tim Thomas and Minnesota's Niklas Backstrom are the other finalists for the award, which is voted on by the NHL's 30 general managers. "It's an unbelievable honor," Mason said. "When you look around the NHL and see the type of goaltenders who play in the league ... to be considered in the top three is really special. "I know I couldn't have done it without the players around me and without the opportunity (coach Ken Hitchcock) and (general ..."

Blue Jackets' Mason earns long break

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April 25

Columbus Dispatch

"In early January, Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock was asked how he intended to use rookie goaltender Steve Mason through the balance of the season. "Now and forever," Hitchcock deadpanned. It was a witty retort, one the coach didn't mind trotting out on several occasions. The line never got old, but the goalie who inspired it grew tired. After a four-game playoff sweep at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings, Hitchcock said what many had assumed: the Jackets overplayed Mason. "We did it with all the intentions of helping the team get into the playoffs," Hitchcock said. "There was no mental or physical rest for him." Hitchcock said yesterday, however, that he had no regrets starting the ..."