EDMONTON, ALBERTA- Former University of Alberta Golden Bears' hockey goaltender Dale Masson passed away June 20, at the age of 36. He was participating in the Kananaskis 100 km relay run at the time, a race he has run with his law firm associates since 2005.
Masson obtained two Bachelor degrees from the University of Alberta, acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies in 1999, and then getting his Bachelor of Law in 2004. He was called to the Alberta Bar in 2005 and has since worked as an associate at Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP in Calgary, AB.
The five-year Golden Bear spent four seasons as the starter for the U of A men's hockey team, winning one national championship and accumulating seven team records.
Masson, an Edmonton native, joined the Bears for the 1994-95 season after a five-year Western Hockey League career with Kamloops, where he was a back-up to Corey Hirsch, and Victoria. He won a Memorial Cup with the Blazers in 1992 before being dealt to Victoria for Steve Passmore during the 1992-93 season. In his time under an Evergreen and Gold jersey, he set the team career records for: most career Canada West Hockey games played (92), most shots against (2382), and most saves (2136). He also set single-season records for: most Canada West Hockey games played (26 in 1995-96), minutes played (1539:21 in 1995-96), shots against (750 in 1995-96), and saves (676 in 1995-96). He ranks among Golden Bears career leaders in several Canada West Hockey categories: 1st in games (92), 2nd in minutes played (5176:49), 6th in shutouts (4), 3rd in wins (60), 3rd in ties (6), 1st in shots against (2382), and 1st in saves (2136). He backstopped Alberta to their ninth CIS championship in the 1998-99 season and was twice named a CIS All-Canadian (1997, 1998). He was also a three-time CIS Academic All-Canadian (1996, 1997, 1998) and he twice won the Adam Kryczka Memorial Trophy for lowest goals-against average in the Canada West regular season (1996, 1998).
Masson was chosen to represent a group of Canada West Hockey All-Stars that represented Canada at the 1996 Nagano Cup pre-Olympic tournament, where he was named the tournament's outstanding goaltender, and the 1997 World University Games in South Korea, where he collected a bronze medal.
He was one of four Golden Bears selected to play in the World University Hockey Challenge between the CIS and the NCAA in Detroit, Michigan in April 1997 and 1998.
After receiving his first Bachelor degree in 1999, he spent two years playing hockey in the United States, in the East Coast Hockey League (Pensacola Ice Pilots) and the Central Hockey League (Wichita Thunder and San Antonio Iguanas), before returning to Edmonton and achieving his Bachelor of Law degree from the U of A. After graduation, he became an associate with Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP in Calgary, joining former Golden Bears Jay Reid and Tom Mix.
Dale is survived by his wife Tanya and his two sons - Wyatt (2) and Sam (2 months).
A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Please forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com . In lieu of flowers, financial contributions may be made to assist with the well-being of this young family. Donations may be sent directly to Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer LLP, 1400, 350 - 7 Avenue, S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 3N9, Attn. Wayne Weger. Cheques should be made payable to Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP, in trust for the Masson Family Trust.
