MSU hockey to honor Ron Mason on home ice, helmets

The Michigan State hockey program will honor the late Ron Mason this season by painting his intials on the ice at Munn Ice Arena and by wearing his intiials on the back of the team helmets.

The Spartans unveiled a green and white ‘RM” sticker on the back of the helmets prior to today’s hockey media day. The initials haven’t yet been painted on the ice at Munn, but will before the home opener against Denver on Oct. 21.

Mason, the second-winningest coach in college hockey history, passed away on June 13 at age 76. Mason spent 36 years coaching college hockey (1966-2002) and finished with a record of 924-380-83. In 23 seasons at MSU (1979-2002) he was 635-270-89. He also served as MSU’s athletic director from 2002-2007.

“Ron made an enormous impact on the entire campus and community from the moment he arrived at Michigan State in 1979,” Mark Hollis, MSU director of athletics, said in a statement. “Not only was his influence tremendous at MSU, but it also extended to the game of hockey as a whole. We are honored to remember Ron over the upcoming season, knowing he impacted so many people in a positive way.”

MSU also unveiled six different jerseys for the season – green and white versions of three different styles – Michigan State script jersey, a Spartan logo jersey and a new style that includes the individual jersey number on the front as well as the back.