Blue Jackets Place Rookie Goaltender Mason On IR

The Columbus Blue Jackets have put rookie goaltender Steve Mason on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 4 because he has been sidelined with a viral infection.

By: Associated Press | NBC4i.com
Published: February 09, 2009

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have put rookie goaltender Steve Mason on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 4 because he has been sidelined with a viral infection.

General manager Scott Howson announced the move Saturday.

The 20-year-old starter was diagnosed with mononucleosis on Jan. 29, though the Columbus medical staff believe he'd had it for weeks.

He and backup Wade Dubielewicz sat out the Blue Jackets' 3-2 overtime victory against San Jose on Saturday because of illness, and Dan LaCosta making his first NHL start.

Mason opened the season with Syracuse in the American Hockey League, but has shot to stardom in Columbus, leading the NHL with seven shutouts in 34 games. He has a 2.09 goals-against average, ranking him second in the league, and a .923 save percentage.