Goalie Mason Has Mono, Will Keep Playing
February 2, 2009 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Columbus Blue Jackets, Fan Fare, Injuries, NHL, News, Players
What do you think of this one? Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender, Steve 
Mason, has been diagnosed with mononucleosis but his team has opted to continue playing him unless “he takes a turn for the worst.” In fact, they think he’s been ill for about a month.
I understand that he’s got the best GAA in the league (2.06) and leads in shutouts (7) but I seriously hope they aren’t pushing this kid too hard. He’s a rookie and while it is true that he’s cranking out a performance that will make him a top contender for the Calder Trophy, I hope they are making his health a priority.
The Mayo Clinic and most other sites say that someone with mono should be resting and taking in as much fluid as possible. Mason is doing the opposite – he’s working very hard and he’s sweating out a ton of fluid. The disease has some serious complications too – enlargement/rupture of the spleen, liver issues, inflammation of the heart, swollen tonsils that obstruct breathing, etc… Even better is the fact that Mason could spread this to his teammates.
Honestly, I just think this is an overall bad idea. If he’s got an enlarged spleen and he gets hit, things could turn tragic. I know it sucks to have to sit out when you are doing so well but you don’t think Sidney Crosby was hurt to sit out of two All-Star games? You don’t think Martin Brodeur was crushed to be sidelined on the cusp of making history this season (and, yes, with a torn bicep he could have played – I saw guys doing that at the Super Bowl yesterday). They didn’t play because it’s stupid.
image: TSN
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] the Columbus Blue Jackets have put goaltender, Steve Mason, on the injured reserve list. As I reported earlier this week, the kid has mononucleosis and their position on it was that they were going to keep playing him [...]
[...] stopped all 33 shots he faced and set a franchise record for shutouts. The rookie who has been battling mono has 10 shutouts this season. “We have a pretty good idea that if we’re in the [...]
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