Good timing, guys.
Just as Steve Mason is preparing for the biggest game of his hockey life, today's World Junior semifinal against the high-flying Americans, we hear the London Knights have traded him to the Kitchener Rangers.
It's a good trade for Mason, guaranteeing he'll be playing in the 2008 Memorial Cup.
But, good grief, couldn't this trade have been put on the back burner a couple more days? Like, until after the World Junior Hockey Championships?
Granted, the trade has not been officially announced by either Ontario Hockey League team.
I suppose neither side wants to be blamed for causing Mason to lose his focus before such an important game, especially if he flames out against the U.S.
But it's a done deal. All the trade details have been leaked. Rest assured Mason knows all about it and more than likely had to sign off on it.
London's Hunter brothers, Mark and Dale, pulled the trigger on the trade. Both have played in important games at the NHL level. They should know better than to throw this into Mason's lap now.
Their timing sucks, big time.
It's not like Mason doesn't already have enough on his plate.
He's got the weight of the nation's gold-medal expectations balanced on his shoulders. And he's got a disgruntled Jonathan Bernier, who expected to start the semifinal, stewing on the bench, watching his every move.
Now he's got this to deal with?
The OHL trade deadline isn't until next Thursday, so the Knights should have held off dealing Mason until after the World Juniors. The Hunters could have worked out the particulars with Kitchener, then sat on it until after the tournament was over.
I wouldn't blame Mason if he was feeling more than a little distracted right now. And now is not the time to be distracted, not with the Americans hungry to avenge last year's semifinal shootout loss.
This could turn out to be a watershed moment in Mason's hockey career.
If the 19-year-old manages to put the trade out of his mind and perform brilliantly against the U.S., it will reveal the young man's true character.
But, at the same time, I won't blame Mason if Canada loses.
No, I'd have my pointing finger aimed at the two OHL organizations that couldn't wait to trade him.