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 was a winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Anaheim Ducks. He 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 in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). There, he won league titles with the Camrose Kodiaks and was even named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2005.

After his junior career, he played college hockey 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 drafted him in 2005 as the 51st player chosen overall.

Mason spent some time with the Canucks' minor league team, the Manitoba Moose, before joining the Canucks full-time in the 2007–08 season. He was known for his incredible speed on the ice and his ability to score goals.

Mason Raymond's Hockey Journey

Starting in Junior and College Hockey

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

In his first season, Mason scored 27 goals and had 62 points, which was the most on his team. After this great start, the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs offered him a scholarship to play college hockey. He decided to stay with the Kodiaks for one more season to improve his skills.

In the 2004–05 season, Mason led the AJHL in scoring with 41 goals and was named the league's MVP. He helped the Kodiaks win the league championship. They also won the regional championship, the Doyle Cup. Mason even led the national Junior A tournament, the 2005 Royal Bank Cup, in scoring. The Kodiaks later honored him by retiring his number 9 jersey.

The Vancouver Canucks picked Mason in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Scouts noticed his speed and believed he could become a strong player.

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

Playing for the Vancouver Canucks (2007–2013)

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

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

He made his NHL debut with the Canucks in October 2007. He scored his first NHL point, an assist, in the first game of the season. Mason scored his first NHL goal on December 12, 2007, against the Anaheim Ducks. He was known for being the fastest skater on the team, winning the "fastest skater" challenge at the Canucks' skills competition.

In the 2009 playoffs, Mason scored his first NHL playoff goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. He finished that playoff run with two goals and one assist.

The 2009–10 season was a big one for Mason. He scored his first NHL hat trick against the Calgary Flames. He played on the Canucks' second line and had a career-high 25 goals and 53 points. He was even voted the team's "unsung hero" by the Canucks' fans.

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 season, winning the Presidents' Trophy for having the best record in the NHL. They made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.

In Game 6 of the Finals, Mason suffered a serious back injury after being hit into the boards. He was helped off the ice and taken to the hospital. The Canucks went on to lose the series to the Boston Bruins. Mason later said it was the "most pain" he had ever felt.

After months of recovery, Mason returned to play in December 2011. He scored six points in his first seven games back. He finished the 2011–12 season with 20 points. The Canucks again won the Presidents' Trophy, but they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

During the NHL lockout in 2012, Mason played a couple of games in Sweden for Örebro HK. He returned to the Canucks for the shortened 2012–13 season, scoring 22 points. The Canucks were swept in the first round of the playoffs that year.

Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs (2013–2014)

In September 2013, Mason signed a try-out contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and then a one-year contract. In his third game with the Maple Leafs, he scored a goal and two assists, and then scored the winning goal in a shootout against the Ottawa Senators. This season was a great comeback for Mason, as he scored 19 goals and 45 points in all 82 games. These were his best numbers since his breakout season with the Canucks.

Playing for the Calgary Flames (2014–2016)

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

The Calgary Flames signed Mason to a three-year contract in July 2014. In his second game with the Flames, he scored his 100th NHL goal as part of his third career hat trick. This helped the Flames win 5–2 against the Edmonton Oilers. On March 14, 2015, Mason played in his 500th NHL game. He finished the season with 23 points, helping the Flames make the playoffs for the first time since 2009. In the 2015 playoffs, the Flames beat Mason's old team, the Vancouver Canucks, before losing 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.

Playing for the Anaheim Ducks (2016–2017)

On July 4, 2016, Mason signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He played in four games for the Ducks before being sent to their minor league team. Mason decided not to report to the minor league team to spend time with his wife, who was dealing with a serious illness. His contract was then ended.

Playing for SC Bern (2017–2018)

On June 16, 2017, Mason agreed to a one-year contract with SC Bern, a team in Switzerland's top hockey league, the National League.

International Hockey for Canada

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

After his playoff run with the Canucks in 2010, Mason was added to 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.

Mason also played in the 2016 Spengler Cup, where he scored 7 points in 5 games. Team Canada won the gold medal at this tournament.

In 2018, Mason represented Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Team Canada won the bronze medal, and Mason contributed with one goal and one assist.

Mason Raymond's Personal Life

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

Mason married Megan Murray in 2008. They have two children, born in 2012 and 2015.

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

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

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 Hockey Awards

University of Minnesota-Duluth Team Awards

Vancouver Canucks Team Awards