This post took awhile to complete because, well, Marek Mazanec’s latest mask didn’t officially get unveiled by its artist until yesterday. Mazanec’s artist is the same man behind Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros masks, David Gunnarsson of DaveART. Not joining the DaveART group in the ye olde Admirals mix is current Cincinnati Cyclones goaltender Brandon Whitney whose mask is styled by Sylvie Marsolais of Sylabrush.
This is probably my favorite of the Admirals designs this season. I think the photo up top taken by Scott Paulus shows why. The new colors and logos really blend well into the uniform. Plus, my favorite element of the new Admirals logos uniforms is the bone “A” that is on Skeletor‘s hat and it bursts off each side. Also a nice added motif is the Nashville Predators logo appearing in Admirals navy along the lower end of the mask – flowing into the chin where another Admirals logo is placed. And I think what makes it all come together is the white areas around the cage – which, if you look closely enough, feature a hidden Suomi detail in chrome.
Let’s not beat around the bush. This is Mazanec’s brand new 2015-16 challenger. It’s not an old mask. It just looks like one. Why did Mazanec decide to use the old Admirals logos? Welp, I look forward to asking him because my guess is he either (1) had no idea that the Admirals got new logos or (2) preferred the old logos. I sort of get the feeling it’s one or the other there. As far as Maz’s mask history with the Admirals goes. I still love his original design the most because of it’s simplicity and coordination with -especially- the home uniform of the time. This being much more baby blue I think will work well enough all-around with the new uniforms. I just think it’s funny seeing the old logo back as a photo negative. It’s like the ghost of the logo that was just killed off that’s begging to be exorcised.
Firstly, massive thanks to Whitney’s artist Sylvie Marsolais for reaching out and sending in these close up shots of the mask. Considering there’s no guarantee he wears this Milwaukee mask in Milwaukee this season, I must say, it’s still a pretty gnarly mask. It also reminds me of Mr. Tendy Swag himself, Rob Madore, last season who probably had the best Admirals mask despite never logging a minute in net. There’s a lot of real cool little things going on in this mask – best of all is that hidden Predators logo behind Skeletor’s hat. In addition, the backplate features a tractor as an homage to Whitney’s family being big into farming (probably my favorite part of the mask because it’s completely individual and different). I’m not all too sure of the realistic looking skull on the side of the mask but hey Skeletor.
Alright, he isn’t on the Admirals and (for his and the Predators sake) I hope that stays that way this season. Still, just look at it. I always like his faux-mask with a monster behind it design. Adding to it this season is the Immortan Joe look from Mad Mad: Fury Road with design elements that glow in the dark. Yes. 100% yes.
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