Flyers' Steve Mason: 'Philly made me love hockey again'

Following four failed seasons playing in and out of the Columbus Blue Jackets' goal crease after winning the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2009, Steve Mason's passion for hockey seemed to be replaced by desires of early retirement. 

Thirteen months later and liberated by a trade, the 25-year-old goaltender credits the city of Philadelphia for reinvigorating his passion for the sport he's spent his whole life chasing.

"I’d had enough," Mason said via Dave Isaac of The Courier-Post. "I did not like hockey one bit. Hockey was putting me in a place where I wasn't a happy person. I was depressed. I didn't enjoy life in general because hockey was putting such a strain on my life.

"Coming to Philly made me love hockey again."

Forever undone by their goaltenders, the Flyers' modest gamble on Mason last spring returned tremendous dividends. In a season mirroring his rookie campaign, Mason matched a career high with 33 wins, finishing with a 2.50 GAA and .917 Sv.%.

The gratitude Mason supplied the city of Philadelphia was reciprocated during his Game 6 performance ahead of their eventual seven-game playoff ouster at the hands of the New York Rangers. Fans cheered their goaltender through a TV timeout, prompting Mason to raise his stick in acknowledgement.