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BROKERAGE Sports INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email [email protected] • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009 25 Mason caps storybook season with Calder ven before began playing minutes before sitting down for a four-hour net, Rob MacDougall was envisioning autograph session at Kennedy Ford. “There’s E how the youngster could help lower a lot to be proud of. For the season that was, his hockey team’s goals-against average. it was definitely nice to have it capped off by a “When you’re dealing with a house league nice award like (the Calder).” team, you’re trying to hide all your weakness- The only downside of the evening was that es,” said MacDougall, who first coached Bill could not be in attendance, due to the Mason in the Minor Oaks Hockey recent recurrence of blood clots in his leg. Association’s novice division. “He definitely “He was a huge part of getting me to wasn’t my weakest (player), but he did have a where I am today, so for him not to be there heck of a wrist shot. I was wondering if I at such a special time was disappointing,” should put him back on defence.” Mason said of his father. “But we listened to The two even went as far as working on the doctors and had him stay home, and he Mason’s slap shot on seems to be doing alright.” MacDougall’s back- Mason was considered the favourite to win yard rink. But, if the Calder going into Thursday’s gala, but Mason was going to wasn’t taking anything for granted. become a blueliner, “I’d heard all the rumours. (Sporting News there was one big Magazine) gave me their rookie of the year, problem. so that was pretty promising, but until it’s “He wasn’t the done and over with, anything can happen,” greatest skater going Mason said. “I was never fully confident until backwards,” I heard my name called.” MacDougall recalled. Confidence is generally not an issue for “If it was all straight Mason, who first played rep at age 11 and ahead, look out.” wore Oakville Rangers colours for at least one Mason soon switched from skating ahead season in each of the A, AA and AAA levels. to simply looking ahead, convincing parents He was drafted into the Ontario Hockey Bill and Donna to allow him to strap on the League in 2004 by the , where goaltending pads when he was nine years old. Knights coach Dave Rook further “I said ‘Why don’t you be the goal scorer?’, developed Mason into an elite netminder. Mason was selected in the third round of 2006 and that’s what he started out to be. And he MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER was good at it,” Donna said. “Rob MacDougall NHL Entry Draft by the Blue Jackets, and later GOALTENDING FRATERNITY: Oakville Rangers AAA goalie Colton Incze (left) looks on as taught him to take a slap shot from the blue- upped his stock by backstopping Team Canada fellow netminder Steve Mason autographs memorabilia Saturday at Kennedy Ford. Mason was named line so he played defence sometimes, too. He to gold and earning tournament MVP at the the ’s rookie of the year last week in Las Vegas. played both positions, but he wanted to be a 2007 World Junior Hockey Championship. goalie.” After undergoing knee surgery last sum- “The hiring of Dave says a lot about what the hiring of Rook. Since making the switch, Mason hasn’t mer, Mason wasn’t expected to play much in the organization thinks of myself,” Mason “If my season goes backwards this coming looked back. the NHL this year, starting the season with said, “and I want to prove them right. I don’t season, at least I’ll have someone to blame,” Thursday in Las Vegas, Mason became the the Blue Jackets’ just want to be a one-hit wonder. I want to be he said with a laugh. first-ever Oakville native to win a National affiliate . a good goalie in this league for a long time, Based on Mason’s history of continual Hockey League individual end-of-season Injuries to and Fredrik and Dave’s going to be a key part of it.” improvement, a scapegoat is the last thing award, taking home the Calder Memorial Norrena forced Columbus to call Mason up Then Mason thought of another positive in he’ll need. Trophy as the league’s top rookie of 2008-09. after only three games in the AHL. He won his debut, 5-4 over the Nov. OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB Led NHL in 5, then defeated the and The 21-year-old Abbey Park High School Calgary Flames in the following few days. grad enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign Despite the fast start, Mason said his with the , leading the breakthrough game didn’t come until Dec. team to its first playoff appearance in fran- 17, when the Blue Jackets visited the league- chise history. Mason had a league-high in leading San Jose Sharks. shutouts (10), was second in goals-against “That was really my first outstanding game,” said Mason, who made 47 saves that average (2.29), recorded a save percentage of Week Five .916 and compiled a 33-20-7 record. night in a 2-1 victory. “I was really Those numbers also earned him consider- comfortable that game and gained a lot of Photo Contest ation for the , awarded to the confidence for the rest of the year.” Winner: league’s top goaltender. That award went to The Blue Jackets are now showing similar Jeff Mamer the ’ , but Mason is faith in Mason. still thrilled about the way things went down They dealt Leclaire — long seen as the Sponsored by: in his first trip to Sin City. club’s goalie of the future — to the Ottawa “It’s been a very happy time for myself and Senators in March, and have since signed The Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club and my family,” Mason said Saturday morning. Rook as their new goaltending coach.