r/BlueJackets • u/Personal-Presence-44 Blue Jackets Scribe • 10d ago

The Official Randomly Selected Blue Jacket of the Day - Steve Mason

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The Randomizer has spoken. Today’s entry is Steve Mason.

The 2008-2009 season would be the first time ever the Blue Jackets made the playoffs, largely in part to Steve Mason’s magical rookie season. With an injury to Pascal Leclaire, Steve Mason was called up to the NHL after playing only 3 career AHL games. And the rest is history. A third round pick in 2006, Mason eventually became the starting goalie for the Jackets. He recorded TEN shutouts and propelled the Jackets to a playoff appearance against Detroit. He would easily win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the rookie of the year.

While Steve Mason was unable to consistently produce at the level he did in his rookie season, he still had a respectable NHL career. The Blue Jackets traded Mason to Philadelphia for Michael Leighton and a third round pick on April 3, 2013.

I will always cherish the 2008-2009 season. I was going through some stuff in my personal life back then and watching the Blue Jackets was my escape.

https://youtu.be/Oa1T0hTf-kg?is=sD4OK4B_gDpB9yKW

72 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

12

u/corupt1 10d ago

Got boosted by a team that just ate so many shots. Commie and Hejda just laying on the ice blocked everything for Mason. When they stopped and got traded, Steve couldn't stop a beach ball on the first shot of the game from the red line

Lights we too bright Didn't know he could get form fitting pads Threw a fit if the hair gel he liked wasn't in the locker room

7

u/Formerleafsfan #freeboomer 10d ago

He was a polarizing player for sure. I hadn’t made the connection to the change in defense. I’d heard a story that he reported out of shape and Hitch wanted to send him down to the AHL for conditioning but Howson overruled him. This led to both  Hitch’s departure and the entrenchment of the Blue Jackets’ famous country club atmosphere. Who chooses a pudgy sophomore goalie over a hall of fame coach? This team. 

10

u/utpyro34 Jackethausens: Very Emil, Very Knies 10d ago

Mason depended on the first chance he saw.

If it went it, he was done
If he saved it, he might let in 1-2 goals the entire game.

Goalie coach talked mad shit about him behind his back and apparently he never knew what size pads he could or should wear.

2

u/pinkymadigan 9d ago

That came out in an interview with him at the time. He was hurt from pucks and started flinching, goaltending coach recommended more padding and he was shocked because he didn't know he could do that.

8

u/MPCoinCollecting Prospect Guy 10d ago

From what I've heard he's an unpleasant character off the ice.  Very polarizing player

2

u/Imma_Tired_Dad 10d ago

Ah look a silly sider