Survivor [sur-vye-vor]/noun: A person who survives; a person who copes well with difficulties in their life.
We don’t see Mason Raymond’s photo next to the dictionary definition . . . yet.
But a few more seasons on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) island and chances are the Cochranite will be smiling back at you on the Oxford Concise pages.
Consider:
– He was a Vancouver Canuck.
– He suffered a vertebrae compression fracture during the 2011 Stanley Cup final in Boston
– He was an unrestricted free agent
– He was a Toronto Maple Leaf
– He was an unrestricted free agent again
– He now plays for the team he cheered as a youngster in Cochrane Minor Hockey.
If that doesn’t qualify you for the title of survivor, the definition is broken.
Wearing a Calgary Flames practice sweater (No. 21) Sept. 19, the 6-foot, 185-pound forward can’t help but smile as the team holds its first training-camp scrimmage at WinSport’s Joan Snyder Arena in Calgary, even if the play is uneven. He’s spotted on a line with Jiri Hudler and Sean Monahan.
“It was scrambly out there, that’s for sure,” Raymond says following scrimmage. “There weren’t many back-and-forths. That’s part of camp. That’s part of getting prepared for the season.”
Calgary’s season begins Oct. 8 at Scotiabank Saddledome against a Vancouver Canucks team that drafted Raymond in the second round (51st overall) in the 2005 NHL entry draft. The Flames have less than two weeks to get everything in order prior to regular-season puck drop.
“Each day is important to make sure we’re preparing as a team, building a nucleus here and a little family,” Raymond relates.
“It’s a process. But each day is important.”
In his eighth NHL season at 29 years of age, Raymond is an experienced pro surrounded by a firewagon-load of skilled, young forwards like Monahan, Sam Bennett, John Gaudreau, Max Reinhart, Morgan Klimchuk and Sven Baertschi.
“I wish I was younger. There are some young kids here,” he jokes. “They’re all 18-19-20-21 year olds. “That was me quite a while ago.”
Now the Flames kids look up to him.
“If I can be a helping hand anywhere, obviously, I’m more than happy to do so. And very proud to do it.
“It’s about a learning experience. I was in that situation, so I know what they’re going through. It’s fun. Enjoy it. It’s a neat journey.”
A journey that started in Cochrane Minor Hockey some 20+ years ago, taking him to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Camrose Kodiaks and University of Minnesota-Duluth prior to the NHL.
“First word that comes to mind is proud. It all starts at the grassroots. You think of those days going to the Cochrane minor hockey rink and lacing ’em up and playing in the early mornings. It goes full circle to your parents for giving you the opportunity. Very proud to have grown up in the area and played for the Cochrane teams and the surrounding teams, and a Flames fan.
“Now, to be in a Flames jersey is something I’m very proud of and look forward to moving ahead with.”
His encouragement for those in Cochrane Minor Hockey today is simple:
“There are many messages someone can send. I know it sounds cliche, but dream big.
“For me, like every Canadian kid, or anyone with dreams of playing in the NHL; did I really know it was going to be a reality until a lot later? No. You work hard in all aspects of life. It can open a lot of doors – whether it’s in hockey, life or school. I’ve learned that along the way. That can take you a long way.
“Being a good person, is one of the many pieces of the puzzle. Enjoy it. Have fun because it’s a very cool and lucky ride you can take.”
And if you ride well enough, you’ll be the last survivor on the island.
