Steve Mason (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Mason grew up in Oakville, Ontario, playing A hockey before moving to AAA with the Oakville Rangers. He was drafted by the London Knights in the 11th round of the 2004 OHL Priority Selection. After leading the Grimsby Peach Kings to an OHA Jr.C. title in 2004–05, he was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2006 NHL entry draft. He spent three seasons in the OHL with the London Knights and Kitchener Rangers, winning OHL Goaltender of the Year in 2006–07. During the 2008 World Junior Championships, he was traded from the Knights to the Rangers hours before the semi-final game. He led Team Canada to a gold medal, earning tournament MVP and Best Goaltender honours. After a knee injury and surgery, he missed the remainder of the OHL playoffs and the 2008 Memorial Cup. Mason made his NHL debut on November 5, 2008, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5–4. He recorded his first shutout on November 22 against the Atlanta Thrashers. He was named NHL Rookie of the Month for November and December 2008, posting three straight shutouts in December. He was later diagnosed with mononucleosis and placed on injured reserve in February 2009. He finished his rookie season with a 33–20–7 record, 2.29 GAA, and .916 save percentage, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy and being nominated for the Vezina Trophy. The following three seasons were a disappointment, and the Blue Jackets did not make another playoff appearance. He was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on April 3, 2013, for Michael Leighton and a draft pick. He signed a one-year extension and later a three-year, $12.3 million contract. He finished the 2013–14 season with a 33–18–7 record and .917 save percentage, leading the Flyers to the playoffs. On July 1, 2017, he signed a two-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets but lost the starting job to Connor Hellebuyck due to injuries and inconsistent performance. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on June 30, 2018, and was bought out. After no interest in free agency, he retired and became director of goalie development for the Oakville Rangers youth team.

Reader's Guide

Steve Mason's career is defined by a remarkable rookie season that earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy and a Vezina Trophy nomination, making him the most recent goaltender to win the Calder as of 2023. His three consecutive shutouts in December 2008 and his 33-win rookie campaign established him as a top prospect. However, he was unable to replicate that success in the following three seasons with the Blue Jackets, who failed to make the playoffs. A trade to the Philadelphia Flyers revived his career temporarily; he posted a 33–18–7 record in 2013–14 and helped the team reach the playoffs, where he had a 1.97 GAA and .939 save percentage. His tenure with the Winnipeg Jets was derailed by injuries and inconsistency, leading to a buyout by the Montreal Canadiens. Internationally, he led Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships, earning tournament MVP and Best Goaltender honours. After retiring, he returned to his hometown to develop young goaltenders for the Oakville Rangers. His legacy is that of a goaltender who achieved early NHL and international success but could not sustain that level over his career.

Did You Know?

• Steve Mason was selected in the third round, 69th overall, in the 2006 NHL entry draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
• He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in 2009, the most recent goaltender to do so as of 2023.
• Mason recorded three consecutive shutouts in December 2008 against the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks.
• He was traded from the London Knights to the Kitchener Rangers hours before the semi-final game of the 2008 World Junior Championships.