Blue Jackets G named rookie of the month again

Jan 2, 2009 - 9:06 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason, who is working on a streak of three straight shutouts, on Friday was named rookie of the month for December, marking the second straight time he has won the award.

A Columbus player has earned the honor in all three months of the season as center Derick Brassard was the league's top rookie for October.

Mason, 20, posted a 7-5-0 record with a 1.41 goals-against average and .950 save percentage in 12 December games while ending the month with consecutive shutouts of Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Anaheim.

The only other rookie to register shutouts in three consecutive starts during the NHL's modern era was Glenn Hall with Detroit in December 1955.

Mason has not allowed a goal in 181:59, establishing a Blue Jackets' record for the longest scoreless streak. The three straight shutouts also is a team mark.

He edged St. Louis center Patrik Berglund, Anaheim right wing Bobby Ryan, Boston left wing Blake Wheeler, Florida center Michael Frolik and Chicago right wing Kris Versteeg for the award.