THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason won the Calder Memorial Trophy tonight at the NHL Awards
Show in Las Vegas.
The award is given annually to the league's top rookie based on voting by members of the
Professional Hockey Writer's Association.
Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash was named winner of the NHL Foundation Award, recognizing a
player's "commitment and service to charities in his community."
Mason, 21, also was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy -- given to the NHL's top goaltender
-- which went to Boston's Tim Thomas.
Mason led the NHL in shutouts (10), was second in goals-against average (2.29), tied for ninth
in wins (33) and 11th in save percentage (.916). He helped steer the Blue Jackets toward the
franchise's first berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Anaheim forward Bobby Ryan and Chicago forward Kris Versteeg were the other finalists.
Mason is the second Blue Jackets player to win or share a major NHL award since the franchise
joined the NHL in 2000-01. Nash shared the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy -- most goals -- with
Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk in 2003-04.
Nash did not attend the show. He's traveling in Europe with family.
Mason was not immediately available for comment.
aportzline@dispatch.com
