The Goalie Magazine - InGoalMag.com » Masks

Mike Smith’s New (Wile E.) Coyotes Mask

InGoal Magazine Staff — Sun, 06 May 2012 13:00:59 +0000

You can read Mike Smith’s New (Wile E.) Coyotes Mask at InGoalMag.com

Mike Smith has been turning heads in the desert with his mask and his play (InGoal file photo)

InGoal originally debuted Mike Smith’s updated Wile E. Coyote mask in February, but with Phoenix up 2-0 on the Nashville Predators and Smith a (way) early front runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, we thought we’d put it back atop the site for all to enjoy again. It certainly deserves the extra attention, because like Smith it’s one of the best in the NHL this season.

Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes is the hottest goalie in the league, earning the NHLs first star last week while recording four wins, a 0.74 goals-against average and a 0.975 save percentage. Today artist David Arrigo is releasing photos of Smith’s “Coyote II – Revenge of the Yote” mask.

Smith began the season with Wile E. Coyote playing goal in retro equipment on his lid, a theme the Coyotes’ keeper came up with himself before handing the artwork over to Arrigo. This new mask features Wile E. in updated gear to match Smith’s own Reebok P4s, but the other change is far more significant for Looney Tunes fans.

“On this one the unthinkable happens,” Arrigo told InGoal in an email. “He gets the Roadrunner!”

Yes, the Roadrunner finally meets his demise, and it’s at the hands of (you guessed it) an Acme goal stick.

For more photos of this mask and other David Arrigo art – and there’s a lot more there than just masks as David has been commissioned to do live murals at the Olympics, the NHL All-star game, and the Superbowl, to name a few – please visit his web site and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators – The Predator Goalie, 2012

Danielle Cook — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 03:18:15 +0000

You can read Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators – The Predator Goalie, 2012 at InGoalMag.com

For Pekka’s 2011-2012 mask Dave Gunnarsson, of Daveart.com, created a design with a wolf-like creature trapped behind an old school goalie mask.

For this mask Gunnarsson has transformed the wolf into the Predator from the classic 1987 film.

David about the design:
“This new creation is a direct continuation of Pekka´s previous insanely popular mask designs with Predator monster behind the old school mask… and here Pekka is transformed into The Predator from the Predators movies… You know the Predator with the huge mouth.”

The Predator’s bright orange eyes, dreadlock-esque hair, wide mouth and sharp teeth are seen around its mask, all giving the mask an overall ferocious, intimidating tone.

Like Anders Lindbäck’s new mask, Pekka’s features the guitar pick logo as well as the Nashville Predator’s logo repeated in the blue paint of the mask.

Also featured on the mask are battle scars, a power switch set to “on,” and some life like drool escaping the confines of the mask.

Anders Lindbäck – PredClassic 2.0, Nashville Predators, 2012.

Danielle Cook — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 03:54:34 +0000

You can read Anders Lindbäck – PredClassic 2.0, Nashville Predators, 2012. at InGoalMag.com

Anders Lindbäck’s 2012 mask is a brighter update of his 2011 mask, both by mask artist Dave Gunnarsson.

David about the design: “This mask design of the Nashville Predators goalie Anders Lindbäck is a clean continuation from his previous masks with the main logo big on top in a cool vertical position, and the rest created as a mix of old school design with top modern effects. It all creates a unique look with a lot of hidden messages.”

This mask has been updated with small Predators logos in the blue of the mask and stylized NP lettering on both sides of the mask, replacing the guitar pick that has now been moved to the chin of the mask.

Read about Lindback’s 2010-2011 mask by Dave here.

Sergei Bobrovsky’s T-34 Tank 2012 Mask.

Danielle Cook — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:20:23 +0000

You can read Sergei Bobrovsky’s T-34 Tank 2012 Mask. at InGoalMag.com

Sergei Bobrovsky’s new mask, painted by Dave Gunnarsson, is a tribute to his hometown: Novokuznetsk, Russia. During World War Two in Novokuznetsk they built the T-34 tanks.

According to Dave “Sergei wanted to pay tribute to the fantastic machine, that played a big role for Russia in the WW2.”

The right and left sides of the mask predominately feature the T-34 tanks with Polikarpov I-16 Russian fighter planes flying above them in an orange sky.

Another feature of the mask is its transformation into “a close up of a real Tank with the sheet metal,” and featuring Flyers’ logos, from the sides to the chin.

To quote Dave: “The mask is so action packed of details that most of them cannot be seen in photo, and the closer you get the more you will discover, the design is packed of Easter eggs!”

Bobrovsky’s other masks, also painted by Dave, can be found here, and here.

Ondrej Pavelec: Winnipeg Jets, The Saga Continues, 2012.

Danielle Cook — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:24:28 +0000

You can read Ondrej Pavelec: Winnipeg Jets, The Saga Continues, 2012. at InGoalMag.com

For his 2o12 mask from Dave Gunnarsson, of Daveart.com, Ondrej Pavelec wanted to to continue the Canadian Airforce theme found on his 2011 mask.

Dave writes this about his design: ”I came up with the base design idea when the new team logos were presented to me last summer. Ondrej loved my ideas. The wings spread out on each side in a powerful way, both look good on a distance and close up, and the closer you come the more details you will discover.”

Some of the new features found on this mask are the flight control panel on the right side of the mask, a Canadian fighter jet on the left, and his number 31 on the chin.

While the top and the sides of the mask feature stylistic logos of the Winnepeg Jets, the front of the mask is designed to look like ”an old school fighter jet front with its special classic painting with eyes and teeth.”

You can stay on top of all Daveart news by liking them on Facebook or following @artofDave on Twitter.

Marty Turco’s New Boston Bruins Mask and Gear

David Hutchison — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:14:35 +0000

You can read Marty Turco’s New Boston Bruins Mask and Gear at InGoalMag.com

Dave Gunnarsson has created a new gargoyle design on a Warwick mask for Marty Turco, who signed a late-season contract with the Boston Bruins after regular backup Tuukka Rask was injured.

InGoal has a quick look from warm-up just a few minutes ago, courtesy of Scott Slingsby. The gargoyle theme is nothing new for Turco, who spent the second half of this season in Austria after failing to find an NHL job, and isn’t eligible to play for Boston in the playoffs because he signed after the trade deadline.

The look, which now compliments his squint-worthy bright yellow gear, has altered slightly over the years. But like the Gary Warwick model he continues to wear, Turco has always said Gargoyles would remain a constant on his masks.

“It’s the gatekeeper, the net protector,” Turco, who has also included the names of his daughters, Haley and Kathy, scrolled subtely into the wall the gargoyle sits on, once told InGoal. “So metaphorically it makes sense and people seem to like it so it’s the only thing I’ve ever had on my mask and it’s the one I’ll keep until I hang ‘em up.”

That could be as soon as next season. Of course, some thought he was done already. For now just enjoy Turco’s new look (and after you are done looking, check out last season’s Ask a Pro with Turco, who talks about working with Reebok’s Michel Lefevre to design the “Turco break” with two breaks on the outer roll, and the feature on how he changed puck handling while experimenting in college):

Exclusive InGoal Photos: Carey Price debuting new mask against Canucks

Kevin Woodley — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:05:05 +0000

You can read Exclusive InGoal Photos: Carey Price debuting new mask against Canucks at InGoalMag.com

Carey Price will debut a new mask Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks, and the Montreal Canadiens goaltender was kind enough to share it with InGoal Magazine after the game-day skate.

For Price it will also be the debut of a new artist, as he has turned his lid and look over to famed Swedish painter Dave Gunnarsson of Daveart.com after years of working exclusively with David Arrigo.

Gone is the cowboy theme that dominated so many of Price’s past masks, a tribute to his summer hobby riding the rodeo circuit in his home province of British Columbia. In its place are flames around the CH logo on the forehead, the strong silver outlines familiar to fans of Gunnarsson’s work all around the NHL, and silhouettes of the city of Montreal around the No. 31 on the chin. On the backplate are the support our troops ribbon and a cross, long staples of Price’s masks.

The rest, Price said, was up to Gunnarsson.

“I just told him the type of mask and basic idea I wanted and he did his thing,” Price told InGoal.

After you’ve checked out photos of Price’s new lid below, be sure to check out his old masks — there are some beauties — from the links below.

InGoal sat down with Price for an exclusive interview – and we’ll be bringing it to readers – including lots of helpful tips for goalies of all ages. If you’re not a subscriber and want to read it before anyone else then sign up today – it’s free!

InGoal has brought readers many of Price’s recent masks – Do you have a favourite? Let us know in the comments below!

Standard “rodeo” mask

Heritage Classic

Canadiens 100th Anniversary Tribute

Remembrance Day Mask

Pink Mask for Cancer Awareness

Not Price – but a great tribute

Charity contest mask

Pekka Rinne’s Latest and Greatest Mask

David Hutchison — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:50:24 +0000

You can read Pekka Rinne’s Latest and Greatest Mask at InGoalMag.com

The master of mask art, Dave Gunnarsson of Daveart.com, sent along photos of Pekka Rinne’s latest, and our opinion, greatest mask based on a design by graphic design student Liz Guilyard. The mask was part of a Preds contest where fans could submit a design to be painted for Rinne and used in a game vs. the Detroit Red Wings.

What’s more, Liz, who is featured in the video below the pictures, will then get to take her game-worn mask home.

Here’s hoping Gunnarsson made a second copy because we’d love to see Rinne in this one for the remainder of the season.

This design takes Rinne’s regular “Hardcorelicious” mask to a new extreme – let us know your thought below in the comments!

Maple Leafs Optimus Reimer Makes Major Transformation … On Mask

Kevin Woodley — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:51:15 +0000

You can read Maple Leafs Optimus Reimer Makes Major Transformation … On Mask at InGoalMag.com

A coaching change isn’t the only transformation going on with the Toronto Maple Leafs right now: Beleaguered goaltender James Reimer is also switching things up with a new mask that plays strongly off his nickname, Optimus Reim.

Like his old lid, which featured the popular Hockey Night in Canada duo of Ron MacLean and Don Cherry, Reimer’s new Transformers-themed mask was painted by Swedish sensation Dave Gunnarsson of Daveart.com

The CBC commentators have been replaced on the right side of the mask by the two forms of Optimus Prime – a dominant shadow of the robot lurking in the shade over the big rig automobile version of the leader of the Autobots – while the left side of the new mask features the Autobot symbol that was turned into a t-shirt to honour Reimer during his breakout rookie season last year.

Will Reimer's new backplate continue to reflect his strong Christian faith? Scott Slingsby photo.

At the time of publishing this piece we hadn’t had a look at the back plate yet so it’s not certain if it will again reflect Reimer’s strong Christian faith. For the complete story behind the most personal part of Reimer’s mask, see this in-depth piece from the InGoal Digital Magazine.

Leafs fans are clearly hoping Reimer, who has struggled to find that frst-year form since coming back from an early season concussion, can “transform” back into the goaltender they had such high hopes for heading into this season.

Friday’s coaching change, with a more structured Randy Carlyle taking over for the fired Ron Wilson, should at least be a better fit with the percentage-based blocking style of puck stopping taught by Leafs’ goalie guru Francois Allaire, who has come under heavy fire in Toronto amid his goalie’s recent struggles but got a vote of confidence from GM and President Brian Burke.

As for the mask? While if it’s a matter of look good, feel good, play good, Reimer could undergo a transformation.

Robin Lehner’s Ottawa Senators Mask (Updated)

David Hutchison — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:10:25 +0000

You can read Robin Lehner’s Ottawa Senators Mask (Updated) at InGoalMag.com

Originally published October 5, 2011. Updated with game photos March 2, 2012.

InGoal also has images of Lehner’s second Senators mask for 2012

Scott Slingsby Photo

The Senator’s plan for Robin Lehner in 2011-2012 is another year of seasoning in the AHL letting Craig Anderson and Alex Auld handle the NHL duties. That didn’t stop Lehner and artist Dave Gunnarsson from creating an incredible new mask design for this season reflecting his Senators roots. The paint job sits atop a new Pro’s Choice custom Vaughn mask.

Scott Slingsby Photo

Most Sens helmets are resplendent in bright reds and golds but this beauty – Dave calls it ”ExCeltic Granitica” – looks like it was plucked from the Roman ruins…fantastic.

In Gunnarsson’s words,

“Robin had a vision of how to mix stones, with celtic themes, with Ottawa logos, and just make it look old… So I took all the elements and created a design that is a mix of it all, with a lot of silver and the Ottawa logos in a new way… The design is what I call 2 designs in 1. From a distance you have one look, and when you come closer a new world of cool details opens up and a second design is created in front of your eyes. All together a very unique look is created, with stones that are cracked and create cool lines.”

Scott Slingsby Photo