It has been an offseason filled with awards and rewards for Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason.

He earned NHL Rookie of the Year honors last week and was named a second-team All-Star. Mason also treated himself to a new car, a Mercedes-Benz SL63.

The most important acquisition, however, might be the goaltenders coach who will greet him at training camp in September. Mason, 21, is eager to work again with Dave Rook, who helped transform him into one of the best goaltenders coming out of junior hockey.

"To work with him for an entire season at the NHL level is only going to bode well for myself, and I think it will be a good opportunity for him," Mason said yesterday.

Rook will be officially named to the Jackets' staff in the coming days. He has been working as a consultant with the St. Louis Blues and spent seven years with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

Mason spent three seasons under Rook's watch.

Last season, Mason emerged as one of the NHL's best stories despite injury, illness and the lack of a full-time goalies coach. Mason and former interim coach Perry Elderbroom apparently never forged a good working relationship.

As a result, Mason had few places to turn late in the season as fatigue and holes in his technique took their toll.

"Any time a young goalie comes into the league, it's nice to have help," Mason said. "Unfortunately, I didn't have that. This season is going to be entirely different.

"As a goalie, when you are not playing well, a goaltenders coach is extremely (important). Hopefully there will not be times when I'm playing poorly, but Dave Rook is going to be a key guy to ensure my game stays consistent."

Mason appreciates Rook's candor and direct approach.

"If I'm playing poorly, he will not hesitate to tell me to pick up my game," Mason said. "When things aren't going well, he has been able to get me out of the rut."

treed@dispatch.com