One of the most anticipated reveals for goaltenders and fans are the player’s new custom painted masks. The reveals have been enhanced even more by specialty mask reveals, such as masks for Winter Classic and Stadium Series games.
Having one of the best themes in all of sports to choose from, Blackhawks goaltenders have put together a some wonderful masks for the upcoming season.
First goalie up is summer free agent signee Cam Ward. He had his Sportmask brand mask painted by Steve Nash of EyeCandyAir. The white base is accented by several three color, classic Blackhawks head logos and a subtle tomahawks logo on the forehead.
Returning second year backup, Anton Forsberg, went with popular NHL artist David Gunnarsson and his company DaveArt. Forsberg’s CCM mask once again has a cartoon version of his dog (modeled after the movie Bolt), with a full color Blackhawks Indian head logo and striping concept. In addition to the Blackhawks theme, he has added a portrait of the recently deceased Swedish DJ Avicii as a tribute to his music.
Finnish free agent goalie Kevin Lankinen chose fellow Fin Joni “Bona” Hallikainen as his mask artist. When he is not painting masks, Bona also doubles as the equipment manager for IFK Helsinki of the Finnish Elite league. This Wall W12 mask has a more traditional and colorful Blackhawks logo theme with his native Finnish flag on the back plate.
With the secretive nature of all the Corey Crawford injury drama this summer his usual mask artist, Stephane Bergeron, was able to sneak in a new mask under the radar, in June.
photo courtesy of Griff Airbrush
Crawford’s new CCM mask and the one he wore last season could easily be confused as the same mask, if one did not know any better. There are a few very subtle differences in the layout, but all the artwork is the same as his previous mask, as you can see below.
photo courtesy of Griff Airbrush
photo courtesy of Griff Airbrush