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26 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009 This one's a keeper PHOTO COURTESY OF COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS THE WALL: Steve Mason, pictured in recent action against Patrick Marleau and the San Jose Sharks, is leading the National Hockey League in goals-against average only two months into his career. Start to Mason's career ranks among NHL's best hen John Tavares lost his appeal to become eligible for last summer's NHL Entry Draft, it appeared hockey fans would have to wait until at least this fall for an Oakville resident to take the NHL by storm. Tavares very well still might, solidifying his status as the probable firstoverall pick in this year's draft with a dominant performance at the World Junior Hockey Championship. But, if and when he does grab the NHL spotlight, he'll almost certainly have to share it with another local product. Steve Mason isn't just playing in the NHL at the tender age of 20. He is dominating it. Entering last night's action, the former Minor Oaks Hockey Association house leaguer owned the NHL lead in goalsagainst average (1.82) and save percentage (.934), was tied for the league lead in shutouts (five) and had a 13-9-1 record -- no small feat, considering his Columbus Blue Jackets were a pedestrian 18-18-4 on the year. Mason's torrid start -- he recently blanked the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks in consecutive games, becoming the first NHL rookie to ever post three straight goose eggs -- at least merits comparison to some of the greatest freshmen in league history. W Perhaps the most dominant debut in the last 40 years was that of Ken Dryden, who broke into the league with a 6-0 record and 1.65 goals-against average (GAA) in the 1970-71 regular season before earning playoff MVP honours as he backstopped the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup. Dryden followed that up the following year, his first full season in the league, with a 39-8-15 record, 2.24 GAA, eight shutouts and a Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. Tom Barrasso (26-12-3, 2.84 GAA, two shutouts in 1983-84) and the undrafted Ed Belfour (43-19-7, 2.47 GAA, four shutouts in 1990-91) also won the Calder Trophy, with both adding the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder. Patrick Roy (23-183, 3.35 GAA and one shutout) and Ron Hextall (37-21-6, 3.00 GAA and one shutout in 1986-87) joined Dryden as Conn Smythe playoff MVP winners in their rookie seasons. Those five are arguably the best contemporary examples of rookie studs that went on to join successful NHL careers. Of course, there have been some flashes in the pan during that time as well. Jim Carey was the talk of the league in 1994-95, posting an 18-6-3 record, 2.13 GAA and four shutouts with the Washington Capitals as a 20-year-old. His second year wasn't bad, either, as he went 35-24-9 with a 2.26 GAA and nine shutouts. would be shocked if (he regressed). I think Carey's game regressed quickly after that, he's got star written all over him." however. He was 17-18-3 with a 2.75 GAA MacLean, who now co-hosts an afternoon and one shutout in 96-97, and went on to sports talk radio show with Jack Armstrong play only 33 more games in the NHL. on The Fan 590, added it's not too early to Patrick Lalime and Brian Boucher are begin comparing Mason's quick start to two more goalies who were brilliant in their those of other elite goalies. He drew parallels first seasons but couldn't maintain those between Mason and Montreal Canadiens lofty standards. Lalime set the record for youngster Carey Price -- both backstopped unbeaten streak to begin an NHL career, the national junior team to world champigoing 14-0-2 in his first 16 contests with the onship gold--- but noted one major dissimiPittsburgh Penguins in 1996-97, but is perlarity. haps better remembered for impersonating a "Carey was a fifth-overall pick. I think sieve in the Ottawa Senators' surprising sec- (Mason's) a lot different story than that, but ond-round loss to the Leafs in the 2002 play- I think they are very comparable," MacLean offs. Boucher (20-10-3, 1.91 said. "They'd be the two best "I see him so GAA and four shutouts in 1999young goalies in the league sound technically 2000) has played only 48 games right now." in the past four seasons, bounc- and he moves so Mason won't join Dryden, ing around to five different Roy and Hextall as a Conn well in the net. teams after breaking in with the He's a quality kid. Smythe winner in his first seaFlyers. son. Just getting the Blue I think he's got So what will Mason become, Jackets into the playoffs star written all a long-term star or a one-hit (Columbus has never reached over him." wonder? The man who drafted the postseason in the franchise's him believes the former. nine-year history) would be Former Columbus "I see him so sound techniremarkable enough. Blue Jackets GM cally and he moves so well in But he's the early favourite the net that it's impressive," said Doug MacLean in the Calder Trophy race, former Blue Jackets general despite missing the first month manager Doug MacLean, who selected of this season as he rehabilitated from offMason in the third round of the 2006 draft. season knee surgery. "From what I've been told, he's also got The Blue Jackets have drafted a number amazing respect in the dressing room, the of netminders over the years. In Mason, it way he carries himself. He's a quality kid. I looks like they've finally found a keeper.