Flames get deal done with goalie McDonald
You’ve signed your contract. Now you need to fax it to your employers.
The problem? Nothing is open — it’s night time, it’s Canada Day. So what do you do?
If you’re Mason McDonald, it’s no problem. You just drive from the family home to a nearby hotel and fax it from there.
As if the occasion hadn’t been memorable enough for the Halifax native.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” said McDonald, 19, who agreed to a three- year entry- level deal with the Calgary Flames. “The first pro contract that I’ve signed. I’m just excited about the whole thing. It’s really hard to take in right now. It’s a great day.
“I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal when I signed the paper, but it definitely is. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
He was taken 34th overall — the first goalie selected — at the 2014 NHL draft in Philadelphia. Now he’s in the midst of a hectic spell.
In June, McDonald participated in a Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence for goalies.
Ahead? The Flames’ annual development get- together next week and the national junior side’s friendlies in August.
“Yeah, a busy summer — kind of back- to- back with those camps coming up,” said McDonald, 6- foot- 4 and 205 pounds. “It’s all going to be great learning opportunities, great experiences. I’m really excited to start them up.”
McDonald, during the regular season for the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL, posted a 28- 22- 4 record, with a 3.06 goalsagainst average and a .906 save percentage. But his campaign ended in the playoffs when he tore his right medial collateral ligament.
“I was sliding back and forth, something I do a hundred times every game. I felt a pop and I knew something was wrong when I couldn’t get back in the butterfly.”
The knee injury, which did not require surgery, needed eight weeks to heal.
“It’s great now — I haven’t had any problems with it,” he said.
C- NOTES: The San Jose Sharks signed D Mark Cundari, who had been cut loose by the Flames. Cundari was part of the return in the Jay Bouwmeester trade to the St. Louis Blues.