Mason's new mask a tribute to unheralded teammates

WINNIPEG - Anyone who has chosen to be a goaltender likely enjoys getting new equipment of any kind. Steve Mason is no different, especially when it comes to his mask.
"It was basically the main reason when I was younger I became a goaltender, was to have that unique feature of having a painted mask," Mason said following practice on Wednesday. "I'm turning 30 here at the end of the month, and I still get excited to see a new paint job."
The excitement was back earlier this week when the first-year Jet received a package from professional airbrush artist Sylvie Marsolais of SYLABRUSH. The design featured six members of the Jets' training staff: Head Equipment Manager Jason McMaster, Assistant Equipment Manager Mark Grehan, Head Athletic Therapist Rob Milette, Assistant Athletic Therapist Brad Shaw, Assistant Equipment Manager Mike Flaman and Massage Therapist Al Pritchard.

"Over the years you start running out of ideas of what to do on a mask," Mason said. "I'm trying to keep things lighthearted. I threw the trainers on the mask as kind of a 'thank you' for all the work that they do throughout the course of a season. Obviously with my year, being hurt so much, I spent a lot of extra time with them. It's just a fun way to say thank you and get some good looking guys some air time."
The faces of all six are incredibly realistic and each one is wearing a fighter jet helmet, with two on each side, and the remaining two on the back. In keeping things light, Mason had a hilarious and honest answer when asked about which one of the group looked the best:
"It's such a hard decision; it's probably the guy behind the cage, actually, that looks the best," he laughed. "I don't know, if you look at the portraits that these were copied off of, it's pretty accurate. If anything, she (Marsolais) could have put a little stubble on them to give them playoff beard, but she did a good job."
Mason has had a real up and down ride this season, from the two rough starts to begin the campaign, to the two concussions and knee injuries that kept him sidelined for a good portion of the second half. He's spent countless hours away from the team throughout the year, so you can understand his desire to show his appreciation for McMaster and company.
"Nobody sees what kind of goes on behind closed doors," he said. "These guys that we have here are first class. They make coming to the rink and on the road a lot of fun. It's kind of a thankless job, but the players in the locker room realize what kind of important role that they play in the day to day operations of the NHL. Something like this is simple to do, but I think it goes a long way as well."
- Jamie Thomas, WinnipegJets.com