The Montreal Canadiens prospect's helmet gives the impression of a winter hat on top, but it's just the super paint job from artist Sylvie Marsolais of Sylabrush.
Instagram from @sylabrush: Michael McNiven Habs tuque!!! #LavalRocket #CanadiensMontreal #SylabrushAirbrush #ForumMontreal #JacquesCartier #Habs #CCMMask #Tuque
"We wanted to give the toque a vintage and realistic look with all the wool knitted one by one," Marsolais told InGoal Magazine. "The toque theme is to represent kids playing hockey in the street or an outdoor rink wearing their [Canadiens] toque."
Besides the optical illusion, McNiven's mask also features images of Montreal landmarks. The left side has a drawing of the Jacques Cartier Bridge, which crosses the St. Lawrence River to connect Montreal and Longueuil, Quebec, and on the right is an image of the Montreal Forum, the Canadiens' home from 1908-1996.
The toque-over-helmet look conjures images of Jose Theodore, who first sported the look for the Canadiens at the 2003 Heritage Classic in Edmonton, the NHL's first regular-season outdoor game, where the temperature hit minus-22 Fahrenheit. McNiven will now get to wear the look full-time for Laval of the American Hockey League.
