Chris Mason

Written by Marty Coffey

            Chris Mason was born April 20, 1976 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.  He was chosen 122^nd in the 5^th round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils.  It was not until the 1997-1998 NHL season that he actually began his career as a relief for Predators starters Tomas Voukon and Mike Dunham.  He appeared in three games that season.

            For the next four years, Mason played with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL.  Only once in the 2000-2001 season did he play an NHL game, and it was, unfortunately, a loss.  This was his first complete NHL game, but he did not let the rocky start bring him down.

            By the 2003-2004 NHL season, Mason was back with the Nashville Predators full-time.  He was still a backup for Tomas Vokoun.  Mason finished out that season with a 4-4-1 record, logging an impressive 92.6% saves and allowing an average of 2.18 goals per game.

            Mason had a very good year during the NHL blackout.  He played for Valerenga Ishockey in Norway, leading his team to a playoff victory.  He was hailed as a hero and the best of the league.

            Back in the NHL, Mason filled in for Tomas Voukon with the Predators.  Voukon was out on extended medical leave with a rare blood condition.  To the fans disappointment, Mason was not able to live up to Voukon, and the Predators fared very poorly in the playoffs.

            One of the most interesting recent events in Chris Mason’s career was his becoming only the ninth NHL goalie in history to be credited for a goal.  Phoenix Coyotes forward Geoff Sanderson scored on his own net, and Mason got the credit.  Despite the rare occurrence and the place in the record books, Mason himself was calm, saying, “Someone else should have received [the goal].”

            For the 2006-2007 NHL season, Mason is a free agent, having not been re-signed by the Nashville Predators.
Mental Goaltending Home Page Order Page