Chris Mason (ice hockey)
- This article is about the ice hockey player, for the darts player see Chris Mason (Darts).
| Chris Mason | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
April 20, 1976 Red Deer, AB, CA | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Goalie | ||
| Catches | Left | ||
| NHL team | Nashville Predators | ||
| NHL draft |
5th round, 122nd overall, 1995 New Jersey Devils | ||
| Playing career | 1997–present | ||
Christopher Mason (born April 20, 1976 in Red Deer, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Nashville Predators of the NHL.
Mason was drafted in the 5th round, 122nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.
Career overview
Mason made his NHL debut in the 1997-98 NHL season, appearing in three games for the Nashville Predators in relief of starters Mike Dunham and Tomas Vokoun. Mason spent the better part of the next four seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. Mason was called up for one game in the 2000-01 NHL season - his first complete game in the NHL, a loss.
In 2003-04, Mason joined the Predators full-time as the backup to starter Tomas Vokoun. In 17 appearances that season, Mason finished with a 4-4-1 record, with a 2.18 GAA and .926 save percentage.
During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Mason played for Vålerenga Ishockey in the Norwegian league. Being hailed as the best goalie in the league, he played a big part in Vålerenga securing their 25th league championship and their 24th Norwegian Championship by winning the playoffs.
On April 15, 2006, when he was starting because the Predators' regular goaltender Tomas Vokoun was lost for the year with a blood condition, Mason was credited for a goal when Phoenix Coyotes forward Geoff Sanderson shot the puck into his own net. Mason became the ninth NHL goalie all-time to score a goal. [1] In response, Mason said, "It was a cheesy goal. Someone else should have received it." [2]
He was a member of the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship team that won gold in a 4-2 win against Finland in Moscow.
Career statistics
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-99 | Nashville | NHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 69 | 6 | 0 | 5.22 |
| 2000-01 | Nashville | NHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 59 | 2 | 0 | 2.03 |
| 2003-04 | Nashville | NHL | 17 | 4 | 4 | 1 | - | 743 | 27 | 1 | 2.18 |
| 2005-06 | Nashville | NHL | 23 | 12 | 5 | - | 1 | 1226 | 52 | 2 | 2.54 |
| NHL career totals | 44 | 16 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2038 | 84 | 3 | 2.47 | ||
Playoffs
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | Nashville | NHL | 5 | 1 | 4 | -- | 418 | 17 | 0 | 3.45 |
| NHL playoff totals | 5 | 1 | 4 | -- | 418 | 17 | 0 | 3.45 | ||