Mason Raymond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mason Raymond
Raymond with the Vancouver Canucks in December 2011
Born	(1985-09-17) September 17, 1985 (age 39) Cochrane, Alberta, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Vancouver Canucks Örebro HK Toronto Maple Leafs Calgary Flames Anaheim Ducks SC Bern
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	51st overall, 2005 Vancouver Canucks
Playing career	2007–2018

Mason Evan Raymond (born September 17, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a winger, which is a forward position, in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Anaheim Ducks. Mason also proudly represented Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Mason was born in Cochrane, Alberta, but grew up in Calgary, Alberta. He played Junior A hockey for two seasons. During this time, he won league and regional championships with the Camrose Kodiaks. He was even named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2005. After that, he played college for two years with the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. He was recognized as a top rookie in 2006 and a First Team All-Star in 2007. The Vancouver Canucks chose him in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft as the 51st player overall.

Before joining the Canucks full-time in the 2007–08 season, he spent some time with their minor league team, the Manitoba Moose. Mason Raymond is well-known for being a very fast skater and a strong offensive player.

Mason Raymond's Hockey Journey

Starting in Junior and College Hockey

Mason Raymond began his Junior A career with the Camrose Kodiaks in 2003–04. He wasn't sure about playing hockey professionally at first. But his friend, Dan Bertram, encouraged him to join him in Camrose.

In his first season, Mason scored 27 goals and 62 points. After this, the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs offered him a scholarship. Mason decided to play one more season with Camrose to improve his skills. He signed a letter in November 2004 to join the Bulldogs for the 2005–06 season.

Mason led the AJHL in scoring in 2004–05 with 41 goals. He was named the league's MVP. He also helped the Kodiaks win the league championship. They then won the regional championship, the Doyle Cup. Mason even led the national Junior A tournament, the 2005 Royal Bank Cup, in scoring with 10 points. The Kodiaks later retired his number 9 jersey, which is a big honor.

The Vancouver Canucks drafted Mason in the second round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Scouts noted he was a fast skater but needed to get stronger.

After being drafted, he joined the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. In his first year (2005–06), he scored 11 goals and 28 points. He was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team. In his second year, he led the Bulldogs in scoring with 46 points. He was also named the Bulldogs' Most Valuable Player.

Playing for the Vancouver Canucks (2007–2013)

Raymond (left) skates with linemate Ryan Kesler in February 2011.

Mason decided to become a professional player early. He signed with the Canucks' minor league team, the Manitoba Moose. He scored his first AHL goal in his very first game on March 23, 2007. Soon after, the Canucks signed him to an NHL contract.

In the 2007–08, Mason made the Canucks' main roster. He made his NHL debut on the top line with star players Henrik and Daniel Sedin. He got his first NHL point, an assist, on October 5, 2007. He scored his first NHL goal on December 12, 2007, against the Anaheim Ducks. Mason was known for his speed and even won the fastest skater competition at the Canucks' SuperSkills event in 2008. He finished his first NHL season with 21 points in 49 games.

In the 2008–09, Mason started strong. He was also chosen to play in the 2009 YoungStars Game. He scored his first NHL playoff goal in 2009 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Mason had a fantastic season in 2009–10. He scored his first NHL hat trick on December 27, 2009, against the Calgary Flames. He played on a strong line with Ryan Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson. He ended the season with a career-high 25 goals and 53 points. He was even voted the team's "unsung hero."

Raymond practicing with the Canucks in March 2012

Before the 2010–11 season, Mason signed a new two-year contract with the Canucks. During this season, he broke his thumb and missed 10 games. The Canucks had an amazing year, winning the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular-season record. They made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins.

In Game 6 of the Finals, Mason suffered a serious back injury after a hit from a Bruins player. He was taken to the hospital. The Canucks lost that game and then Game 7, losing the Stanley Cup. Mason later said it was the "most pain [he's] been in ever." He wore a back brace for six weeks and couldn't train much. He received a text message from the player who hit him, explaining it wasn't intentional.

Mason returned to play in December 2011 for the 2011–12. He scored six points in his first seven games back. The Canucks won another Presidents' Trophy but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

In the 2012–13 season, which was shorter due to a lockout, Mason played 46 games. He scored 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points. The Canucks were swept in the first round of the playoffs that year.

Time with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2013–2014)

In September 2013, Mason Raymond signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his third game with the team, he scored a goal and two assists. He also scored the winning goal in a shootout against the Ottawa Senators. This assist was his 100th career assist! Mason had a great season in 2013–14, scoring 19 goals and 45 points in 82 games. This was his best season since 2009–10.

Playing for the Calgary Flames (2014–2016)

Raymond defends against Patric Hörnqvist of the Penguins in December 2014.

On July 1, 2014, the Calgary Flames signed Mason Raymond to a three-year contract. On October 9, 2014, he scored his 100th NHL goal. This was part of his third career hat trick, helping the Flames win 5–2 against the Edmonton Oilers. On March 14, 2015, Mason played in his 500th NHL game. He finished the 2014–15 with 12 goals and 11 assists. The Flames made the playoffs for the first time since 2009. They beat his old team, the Vancouver Canucks, but then lost to the Anaheim Ducks.

Before the 2015–16 season, Mason was sent to the Flames' minor league team, the Stockton Heat. He played 29 games with the Flames that season, scoring five points. He was later released from his contract in June 2016.

Anaheim Ducks (2016–2017)

On July 4, 2016, Mason signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He joined former Canucks teammates Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa. He played in four games for the Ducks. He was then sent to their minor league team, but he chose not to report. Mason later shared that he wanted to spend time with his wife, who had been diagnosed with Lyme disease. His contract with the Ducks was then ended.

SC Bern (2017–2018)

On June 16, 2017, Mason Raymond signed a one-year contract with SC Bern in Switzerland.

International Hockey

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada
Olympic Games
Bronze	2018 Pyeongchang
Spengler Cup
Gold	2016 Davos

After his 2010 playoff run, Mason joined Team Canada for the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany. This was his first time playing in an international tournament. He recorded one assist in the tournament. Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinal. Mason also played in the 2016 Spengler Cup, where he scored 7 points in 5 games. Team Canada won the gold medal at that tournament. He also won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Personal Life

Mason Raymond was born in Cochrane, Alberta. His parents are Carol and Terry Raymond. He started skating at age four on his family's backyard rink. Growing up, he was a big fan of the Calgary Flames.

Mason married Megan Murray in the summer of 2008. They have two children, born in April 2012 and February 2015.

After retiring from hockey, Mason returned to Cochrane. He is now the president of a GM vehicle dealership there.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2010	Canada	WC	7th		3	0	1	1	0
2016	Canada	SC			5	3	3	6	2
2018	Canada	OG			6	1	1	2	6
Senior totals					14	4	5	9	8

Awards and Honors

AJHL Awards

NCAA College Awards

University of Minnesota-Duluth Team Awards

Vancouver Canucks Team Awards