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Anthony Gharib, ESPN
The 2024-25 NHL season is here, marking the beginning of another run to the Stanley Cup and, most importantly, new goalie masks.
The league’s top goaltenders are set to show up in style while protecting their respective goals.
Playing in his final season, Marc-Andre Fleury is going out strong with a handful of bold looks. Jake Oettinger continues the theme of having his friends and an otter with golf clubs on his mask. For his first season with the Ottawa Senators, Linus Ullmark will rock a red mask that includes Swedish Vikings.
Most notably, the debut of the Utah Hockey Club will bring fresh designs. Connor Ingram has a sweet Joker decal on his white and blue mask, while Karel Vejmelka has a 3D-heavy look.
Here’s a look at some of the best goalie masks this upcoming season.
With the Ducks rebrand officially complete, Dostal took the chance to add the world famous logo to his mask on the bottom. There’s also a sweet detail of what looks to be a silhouette of the Disneyland castle above his face.
Intimidation can be a key component of strong goalkeeping, and Korpisalo’s mask leans into exactly that idea. There’s a huge bear decal with glowing eyes on the top, scary enough to potentially distract a player from taking a shot.
One of Luukkonen’s masks is heavy on ice accompanied by a raging buffalo. The combination creates a look that pops instantly. Luukkonen also has a sweet half-blue, half-black-colored mask.
Sticking with the buffalo theme, Levi has a design with red eyes on the side of his look.
Vladar has a simple flame-themed look that can be paired with any uniform combination.
Raging animals seem to be a theme around the league, and Kochetkov has arguably the most realistic. A raging bear covers the top of the mask alongside 3D logos and elements from his hometown of Penza, Russia. He had a similar look last season.
Popular goalie mask artist David Gunnarsson subtly weaved in the Blackhawks logo for a sleek design.
Brossoit’s mask is primarily covered in a design of red bricks. The Blackhawks feather is also nestled near the ear pocket on both sides to cap off a simple and effective mask.
Nicknamed “The Abominable Snowman,” Georgiev’s mask includes a gaping mouth and red eyes, reminiscent of a Yeti that may scour around the Rocky Mountains.
Annunen opted for something a little bit more simple compared to Georgiev. His mask includes a silhouette of the Rocky Mountains.
One of Merzlikins’ masks has a deeper meaning this season — he dons the No. 13 on the chin, in honor of teammate Johnny Gaudreau, who died in August. There’s also a plate of pasta on the left of it, Gaudreau’s favorite post game meal, and a bottle of beer on the right, Gaudreau’s choice of drink after a game, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
One of the neat design quirks is when goalies include teeth where theirs would actually be. Tarasov has exactly that in this mask — not to mention a skull on the top with red surrounding it.
Jake Oettinger
Oettinger loves two important details for his masks — an otter and his friends. That theme continues this season with another fun look.
Husso kept it basic with his mask, leaning into the Red Wings brand.
Fresh paint for Huss. 🎨 pic.twitter.com/A0l5FYuTGH
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 22, 2024
In his first season with Detroit, Talbot opted for something simple rather than his typical heavy element masks. The red “D” silhouette on both sides of the mask is similar to the MLB’s Detroit Tigers logo. The initials of Talbot’s twins are also included on the back — a staple of his masks.
Simple & iconic.
🎨: @daveartofficial pic.twitter.com/ZtxzwE8Ptb
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 21, 2024
Skinner might be near the top of the leaderboard when it comes to neat details. Of course, there’s his mustache near the chin strap, but there’s also three bear paw prints representing his wife and two kids.
🐾👨🏻💙🧡 https://t.co/ti3wa1bt9n pic.twitter.com/DIRb6uEK7J
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 1, 2024
Pickard’s latest oil design mask included elements of previous ones, creating a clean look.
Big Bob’s “Brick by Brick” series returns for another season with a familiar look.
There’s a classic feel to Knight’s mask as it’s transformed into the Panthers logo with 3D details. It also includes kid drawings scattered around the look.
Kuemper’s debut Kings season comes with a sleek mask that includes palm trees and a beautiful crown.
It takes a second to identify, but Rittich’s mask has a famous character nestled on the back of it — Bart Simpson. Equipped with a smirk and crossed arms, Simpson blends into the LA Kings crown.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Fleury is coming in hot for his final NHL season. His dark green look creates a menacing mask, but he can keep it light too with a white design that includes a large “M” on both sides. The bears on two of the masks are one of the more neatly drawn in the league.
It’s a nice look for Gustavsson this season with a simple, effective mask full of Wild colors.
It’s a heavy Canadiens theme for Montembeault with the colors. His mask has a neat touch — the famous torch that’s passed at each season’s Canadiens home opener is hidden near the ear.
Primeau, similar to Montembeault, leans into the Canadiens palette for a simple design.
The “Pred Rogue Rage Splatter” theme has been common for Saros dating back to 2022. That continues this season with a fresh design.
For better or for worse, Wedgewood’s mask introduces a new character — the “Wedge Reaper.”
Markstrom plays to the Devils’ namesake in one of the more detailed masks across the league.
Marky mask masterclass 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9WHJKh9uKo
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) September 26, 2024
Allen has a sweet, simple look that matches the Devils colorway.
Varlamov had a similar graffiti look last season, and it returns again with a slight remix this time around.
The Statue of Liberty was a common element of Shesterkin’s masks last season and that continues again. This season, its silhouette also appears alongside key New York City buildings.
Ottawa Senators
Linus Ullmark
For his first mask as part of the Senators, Ullmark’s fun look includes Swedish Vikings and a Viking sailboat.
Forsberg’s Ottawa-centric mask includes the Parliament Buildings and ducks scattered throughout it.
Ersson’s mask does a creative job of utilizing the Flyers’ logo with Philadelphia’s famous “City of Brotherly Love” moniker.
Artists are not shy about drawing animals on masks — and Fedotov’s look is no exception. Focused on the Phoenix bird, the details of the design pop out, including a glowing Flyers’ logo on the top.
It’s hard to find a more creative look than the mask that Jarry could potentially wear this season. The animated comedy series “Tom and Jerry” is prominently featured in the design, including Jerry catching a fish on the line with a goalie stick.
Nedeljkovic has a matte and gloss look to work with, both including a sweet Penguins logo.
It’s a simple yet effective look for Vanecek with shark teeth displayed throughout the mask.
Askarov’s mask is one that will make Harvey Dent proud — it’s a two-sided look with opposite coloring on each side and consistent 3D elements.
It’s the best of both worlds for Daccord. He has the option to go with a simple look or an eye-popping one that’s equipped with a bold octopus.
Nicknamed the “Blue Grim Reaper,” Binnington’s mask has sweet elements — trumpets on both sides and an eerie grim reaper on the back.
The cursive lettering and prominent Blues logo makes for a clean mask for Hofer.
An electric team name means an equally electric mask for Johansson. His look is full of 3D lightning bolts.
There may not be a more fun name for a mask this season — “The Blue Wolf of Woll,” which lives up to the hype with a detailed cartoon wolf.
Stolarz kept it simple with his look, opting for a blue chrome design that includes multiple maple leaves.
Utah Hockey Club
Connor Ingram
With the newly established Utah Hockey Club, Ingram had room for a neat design and he delivered. He has a clean white and blue look with a Heath Ledger “Joker” drawing on the back.
I love Ingrams mask. It’s phenomenal.
More on the design soon 👀#UtahHockeyClub #NHL pic.twitter.com/BVrIQxU8Zl
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 20, 2024
Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka’s mask is full of razor sharp details for a nice look.
Silovs’ Canucks-centric look includes a Greek god on the side and a skating figure on the top.
Demko is known for putting movie characters on his masks — last season he stole the show when he included Jacobim Mugatu, the popular character played by Will Ferrell in the 2001 film “Zoolander,” on a design. So far, it looks like he’ll keep that look in his rotation to start out the season.
Hill had strong looks last season and it looks like he’s going to keep some of them in his rotation, headlined by a mask that includes a sweet tribute to Vegas.
Samsonov’s first season in Las Vegas comes with a busy mask full of strong 3D details.
Patriotism comes first for Lindgren’s mask, with the American flag on top and a bald eagle on both sides.
The details are stunning for both of Thompson’s masks. One of them includes a screaming eagle, while the other has key elements of Washington D.C., like the Lincoln Memorial.
Hellebuyck’s all-white design pops with a hand drawn fish on the top.
Playing to the Jets’ namesake, Kahkonen’s mask has a flying plane on both sides.
Source: www.espn.com