NASHVILLE – The faces Steve Mason wears over his own tell you all you need to know about the type of season he’s endured.
Repeatedly injured and seldom called upon, the Winnipeg Jets’ No. 2 goaltender needed a new backup mask and a fresh paint job when he switched bucket models.
"I came up with this neat idea to throw the trainers on there, to give them a little thanks for all the work they do," Mason says in an interview. "The amount of hours they put in and the little recognition they get is nowhere near enough. The guys we have taking care of us are unbelievable. First class, all the way."
The faces of the six-man crew dedicated to keeping Mason’s muscles and gear intact over a gruelling seven months are airbrushed on the Bauer helmet as CF-18 fighter jet pilots, two per jaw.
On the left side of the plane sit head equipment manager Jason McMaster and assistant equipment manager Mark Grehan. The right side features head athletic therapist Rob Milette and assistant athletic therapist Brad Shaw.
Assistant equipment manager Mike Flaman and massage therapist Al Pritchard can be spotted on the backplate. A silhouette of Emma, Mason’s young daughter, floats skyward gripping a helium balloon. Credit Sylvie Marsolais of Sylabrush for the design.
Steve Mason’s new mask honours the trainers and staff who helped him get through what he called the hardest season of all (Luke Fox/Sportsnet)
A 2017 free agent insurance policy hired for two years and $8.2 million to buffer 24-year-old Connor Hellebuyck’s development, Mason is cashing cheques like the starter he’s not.
The Toronto Maple Leafs shelled him on opening night to the tune of 7-2. The Flames and Blue Jackets did him in on his second and third outings. It didn’t matter much that Mason, 29, would settle down to a .906 save percentage. He’d already given up 16 goals in his first three starts.
A concussion, a knee injury and some undisclosed ailments conspired to limit Mason to a not-so-lucky 13 appearances.
"A bit of a rocky start, like our team, in the first two games. And if you look at just his numbers after you take those first two out — he played exceptionally well for us. But the injuries are tough on players. He’s handled it great. He’s been a great pro. He’d like to be in the nets," coach Paul Maurice says.
"His mood around the group, he’s had quiet days. It’s been frustrating for him."
Hellebuyck, wobbly himself for long stretches in 2016-17, snatched the reins as soon as Mason stumbled and never let go. He was named to the All-Star Game. He’s been nominated for the Vezina. And now, the kid has taken a slow-grow franchise deeper than it’s ever been.
What’s Hellebuyck going to rake this summer as an RFA? Double Mason’s salary?
Maurice tries stuffing himself in the position of Mason, a 2008 world junior gold medallist and 2009 Calder champ who was once that young stud goalie Helleybuck is now.
"It’s easier to deal with when you’re watching the game and you see Connor playing the way he is," Maurice says. "There’s not a whole lot of heavy decisions for me over the course of the regular season as to who should start in goal. So that made it easier for him."
Mason represents the flip side to the feel-good tale of the breakout hotshot goalie. After 10 years of NHL highs and lows, trades and demotions, Mason admits 2017-18 has been the hardest of all.
"From playing so few games to being hurt basically half the season with some significant injuries, it’s been a long go. It’s also been a lot of fun at the same time, being around a team that’s been so successful," Mason says.
He has no interest in hosting a pity party.
"Honestly, some days are much harder than others. You’ve got a job to do, and you try to do it to the best of your ability, regardless of the situation. This year I think I’ve done a good job handling a tough go."
Twice this postseason we’ve seen Mason tweak or pull something at a morning skate, requiring extra attention from the trainers. Once he left early, and the Jets recalled AHLer Michael Hutchinson. ("I feel pretty good now," he says, and he has stopped all seven shots he’s seen in relief this postseason.)
Most telling is that even when Hellebuyck’s angles were askew and his five-hole leaked in Game 4 versus Nashville — he allowed three goals in the first period and wanted them all back — Maurice said he never considered starting Mason in the second.
It’s refreshing, then, when Mason says Hellebuyck is as good a net partnership as he’s had. The first day at training camp, the tandem took time to hang out off the ice, to know each other as people.
Mason lets loose a laugh when we ask if he’s seen the clip gone viral of Hellebuyck staring down the NBC cameras before Game 1.
"I sit right next to him, so I wonder what the hell he’s doing sometimes, but it’s part of who he is," Mason says. "He’s well aware the cameras are zoned in on him, so he’s just having some fun."
During stoppages in play and TV timeouts, Mason provides water bottles for the starter. Hellebuyck will ask the veteran what he’s seeing on certain plays. He wants Mason’s opinions and reminders.
"He can take it into consideration, or if he feels something else, that’s his decision. He’s out there playing the game," Mason says.
"I like to think that if he needs me, I’m there for him."
Just as the Jets’ training staff has been there for Mason.
"They’ve earned their overtime pay if there was such a thing," says Mason, mask off. "It’s been a frustrating year, but at least I’ve got to spend time with some good guys."
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