Mason's new mask's artwork inspired by Jets training staff

WINNIPEG - Anyone who has chosen to be a goaltender in hockey 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 - to have that unique feature of having a painted mask," said Mason 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 Mason received a package from professional airbrush artist Sylvie Marsolais of SYLABRUSH, and the design featured six members of the Jets training staff: Head equipment manager Jason McMaster, assistant equipment manager Mark Grehan, head athletic therapist Rob Millette, 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," explained Mason. "So I'm trying to keep things lighthearted and 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 for my year being hurt so much, I spent a lot of extra time with them. So just a fun way to say thank you and get some good looking guys some air time here."

The faces of each of the aforementioned training staff look very realistic, and each one is wearing a fighter jet helmet. Two faces are on each side of the mask, and the remaining two are on the back.
As for which one looks the best, Mason was candid in his response.
"It's probably the guy behind the cage actually that looks the best," laughed Mason. "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 play-off 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 2017-18 campaign, followed by two concussions and knee injuries.
He's spent countless hours away from the team throughout the year, so one can understand his desire to show his appreciation for McMaster and company.
"Nobody sees what kind of goes on behind closed doors," said Mason. "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. So something like this is simple to do, but I think it goes a long way as well."