Chris Mason , the 35-year old back-up goaltender with the new Winnipeg Jets is still as excited as he was when True North Sports & Entertainment CEO Mark Chipman (who I believe should be the one who drops the ceremonial first puck against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 9 while the crowd chants "Thank you Mark!") announced that TNSE had purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and were relocating the team to Winnipeg.
Along with his father and his awesome new mask, Mason drove in from his off-season home in Red Deer, Alberta and had an opportunity to practice and condition at the MTS Iceplex in the city's west end and not only liked what he saw, but came to the obvious conclusion (after playing in front of a half-empty arena in Atlanta on most nights) that ''hockey is for real here.''
You have no idea, Chris. You have no idea.
They should retire this guy's number right now just for his ambassadorship and for commments like, "I think it's really refreshing and rejuvenating. I'm honoured to be a part of this team."
