Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason out 4-6 weeks

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason will be out 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Mason was the Blue Jackets' second pick and No. 69 overall in the 2006 draft and is considered the franchise's goalie of the future. He was injured last spring while playing with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League, where he went 32-7-3 with a 2.51 goals-against average and three shutouts in 42 games.

Mason also went 5-0 with a 1.19 goals-against average in leading Canada to the gold medal at this year's world junior championship. He was selected as the tournament's top goalie and MVP.

He is expected to spend this season in the minors because the Blue Jackets have veteran goalies in Pascal Leclaire and Fredrik Norrena on the roster.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-09-23-08 1719EDT