Luongo Debuts Canada Mask
Roberto LuongoWith the NHL on hiatus for two weeks, we're all turning our attention to the Vancouver Olympics this month. One of the most exciting things for Vancouverites has to be seeing your Canucks' goalie backstopping his nation's team.
Icethetics reader Matt sent in this image of Roberto Luongo's new Team Canada mask. No reason to lose the Canuck theme after all, right?
It's very well-designed mask and I'm excited to see it in action tomorrow when Canada takes on Norway at 7:30 PM EST (on CNBC in the U.S.).
Just before that will be the first men's hockey game of these Winter Games when the U.S. battles Switzerland at 3 PM (on USA Network).
If the women's matches have been any indication, these will be very high scoring games in favor the North American clubs (sorry Europe).
Ryan Miller's USA maskAnd not to be outdone by the Canadians, here's a look at Ryan Miller's very American goalie mask.
Rich sent in this photo from The Times Herald in Port Huron, Michigan. That link takes you to a great article on the work put into creating this mask, which was designed by Ray Bishop.
It's nice to get an early look at some of what we'll see in the coming weeks up in Vancouver.
That reminds me, in case you hadn't read my note on the Jerseys page, I will be adding Olympic jersey galleries as games start getting underway. It's a slow process but I'll get to all 12 countries in time.
Also, I just got an email from a reader asking about a goalie mask gallery to go with all the jersey galleries. I think that's a great idea! However, I have my hands a little full with these jersey galleries and I haven't even gotten to home and road sweaters yet. It'll happen... eventually.
Chris
Evgeni Nabokov's Russia maskIcethetics reader Colton just sent in a great link to even more first look photos of Olympic goalie masks. Here (right) is a shot of Evgeni Nabokov's Russian headgear.
I highly recommend stopping by inGoal Magazine for a look at Marty Brodeur's mask and many others, including Henrik Lundqvist, Jonas Hiller, Marc-Andre Fleury, Tim Thomas and Tomas Vokoun.
They've also got photos of the masks designed for women's team goalies Kim St. Pierre and Shannon Szabados of Canada. All worth checking out.
Reader Comments (11)
Funny thing about Miller's mask... he has "Miller Time" written on the back of it and Molson is saying he has to cover it up because they are the official sponsor of the Olympics and Miller Time is part of MGD's brand. Quite irrelevant but funny.
Thanks for the link to ingoalmag! Much appreciated - and great to see your site. As to miller....I imagine it's possible it was a Molson complaint (did you really see that somewhere @Dandy?) but I would imagine it is just the IOC carefully protecting all their brands.
Oh and I like my fav player's mask (Nabby !)
@David - Yes, it was on the news here in Vancouver. It's just the IOC protecting its brands but I found it funny.
Norway shouldn't feel offended it's pretty clear they'll get beat easily. Switzerland has been surprising internationally lately (world juniors vs Russia, olympic 2006 vs Canada...) but USA should beat them easily.
Miller must also take "Matt Man" off the back of his helmet, which is on there for Miller's cousin who passed away last year. Quick must take "support our troops" off his helmet. The Miller time is one thing coming off, but I don't agree with the other two.
I love Nabby's mask, He is easily my favorite hockey player
But for the next two weeks, he is the enemy :P
My personal favorite mask, though, belongs to the goalie for the Slovakian women, Zuzana Tomcikova. Seriously, that's sick.
ah Lou's is a beauty!!! Hiller's is pretty nice too! Stupid Kipper didn't change his...
Vokoun's is AWESOME!!
That is a beauty. He had a good game against the kings last night for GAME1 of the Cup Playoffs.