THERE'S no mistaking it. Mason Raymond has star power.
The 22-year-old Calgary native has the skating speed to turn defencemen into pretzels and the appearance, abs, icy blue eyes and wavy brown hair, that turns heads. If you go for that kind of thing.
Raymond has shown at times he doesn't look out of place at the NHL level and we're guessing he could switch careers and find himself a starring role on The Young and the Restless. Just one of those guys with lots, well let's admit it -- everything going for him.
Raymond was plugged into the Moose lineup last night and paid immediate dividends, fleshing out the top six forwards and giving the visiting Rochester Americans more than they could handle in a 7-1 Manitoba romp.
After beginning this season in Vancouver with the Canucks, Raymond was assigned to the Moose earlier this week and on Wednesday night played his first game with the AHL club since last spring, setting up a pair of goals.
Raymond wasn't quite a force but he did have an impact. Sometimes very good, other times not so visible. That's just the nature of having played in less than 30 games as a pro. There's no denying the kid has game, he just needs to round it out a little.
Raymond's quickness was on display as he fed Ryan Shannon in the slot with a back-door pass that Shannon easily popped into the net. A circle of Rochester defenders gave Raymond way too much room, the threat of speed always creates space, and the left-winger spotted Shannon coming down the far side of the ice and zipped a cross-ice pass that allowed Shannon to convert.
Shannon and Raymond, along with Colby Genoway, who also benefited from a sweet Raymond pass for a third-period goal, formed Manitoba's second unit and they put the Amerks in a tight spot in terms of game planning. The Moose just had too much offence and it showed in the final score.
Raymond joined the Moose late last season after finishing up with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In 11 regular season games with Manitoba, he scored two goals and two assists before going quiet in the post-season with just one assist in 13 playoff games.
Raymond is a burner with scoring touch but this isn't a flawless diamond. Raymond is a bit on the smallish side and there's lots to learn about the pro game.
"Mason is blessed with above average skills in terms of acceleration, vision, quickness and things like that," said Canucks vice-president Steve Tambellini. "For Mason, it's just games. Playing in important situations, the last minute of periods and games and experiencing the pro game."
Raymond has already displayed big-league skills but consistency is missing.
"He's in a spot where he's shown he can contribute at the next level. Whether he plays 10 games here and 10 games there, a lot of that will depend on how we're (Canucks) doing up there. But he's shown he can contribute," said Tambellini.
Raymond was recalled by the Canucks immediately after the game.
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