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Columbus signs Michigan goalie Shawn Hunwick, will back up against Detroit

Shawn Hunwick

Michigan goalie Shawn Hunwick cannot make a stop on a shot from Michigan State’ Tanner Sorenson, his first career goal, in the second period of the Great Lakes Invitational Championship NCAA college hockey game on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

AP

The fun in goal for the Columbus Blue Jackets just jumped another level.

Starting goalie Steve Mason was injured this morning thanks to taking a shot off his head in practice and with the Blue Jackets only having backup goalie Allen York at their disposal, they were in desperate need of a goalie for tonight’s game against Detroit. The Columbus Dispatch’s Shawn Mitchell reports that the Blue Jackets have their answer in the form of University of Michigan goalie Shawn Hunwick.

Hunwick was signed to an amateur tryout deal and will back up York for tonight’s game. Depending on Mason’s health, it could turn into a full-fledged contract for the 5'7" 166-pound goaltender.

Going from college to the pros immediately is something we’ve seen this year with St. Louis’ Jaden Schwartz and soon with Minnesota’s Jason Zucker, but playing goal is an entirely different monster.

As it is, York is the fourth-string goalie for the Blue Jackets, but thanks to injuries to Mark Dekanich and Curtis Sanford he was rushed to the show. Now Hunwick arrives as their fifth option. If you were wondering why the Jackets are the NHL’s worst team, it’s a mix of bad injury luck and bad management.