'Stanley Cup colours': Connor Hellebuyck's new mask honours Whiteout, shows desire for hockey's ultimate prize
It was a trophy season for Connor Hellebuyck in 2024 winning both the Vezina and William M. Jennings trophies and now his newest mask alludes to the prize he is trying to get his hands on.
The Winnipeg Jets unveiled Hellebuyck's mask for the season, which has an ode to the Winnipeg Whiteout.
"Connor really wanted to do a Whiteout theme," said Steve Nash, the mask designer and owner of Eye Candy Air in Ontario.
"Lots of snowflakes, lots of white and lots of bling on there. He wanted to keep it clean so you can see it from far away."
Showcased on the white mask is the Jets logo, along with several other jets scattered throughout. There is also the patented bass on the dome of the helmet to recognize Hellebuyck's love of fishing.
While many of the designs are outlined in a dark blue, they are also covered in reflective chrome, a nod to hockey's ultimate prize.
"Nice little hits like the Stanley Cup colours, stainless steel chrome. We got the chrome snowflakes in there too. It turned out really cool looking…it'll pop on the ice with the lights."
Nash noted there are also some Easter eggs hidden on the helmet that people might not be able to see but are personal to Hellebuyck.
Nash has been working with Hellebuyck since 2015 and said he has really got to know how he likes his masks.
"It's really fun for me to get into people's imaginations and bring their creation to life on the mask. I live for that. We'll sketch it out and try to rough out the edges. Connor and me work great together, I know what kind of style he likes and he gives me his ideas. We go back and forth a little bit and it's usually pretty easy at this point."
It won't be the only helmet Nash does for Hellebuyck this season as he is also designing one for when the Jets wear their retro jerseys.
He said it will have the classic original Winnipeg Jets colours and style.
"I always try to keep the masks like the '80s goalies paint jobs. (They) look the best when you go retro."
Winnipeg's preseason starts Sept. 21 against the Minnesota Wild and the regular season starts on the road in Edmonton on Oct. 9.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel intensifies bombardment of Gaza and southern Lebanon on the eve of Oct. 7 anniversary
A new round of airstrikes hit Beirut suburbs late Sunday as Israel intensified its bombardment of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon in a widening war with Iran-allied militant groups across the region. Palestinian officials said a strike on a mosque in Gaza killed at least 19 people.
Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa
A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.
The cooking method you need to learn to get excited about vegetables this fall, expert says
'Eat more vegetables,' doctors and dietitians say over and over. But for many people, it’s hard to do, because they aren’t excited about veggies or just don’t like them.
Hurricane Milton is growing stronger as it blows toward Florida's Tampa Bay region
People across Florida were given notice Sunday that Hurricane Milton is intensifying rapidly and will likely be a major hurricane before slamming midweek into the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast.
New Far North hospital moves closer to being built after $1.8B design, build contract awarded
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority and the Government of Ontario have awarded a $1.8 billion fixed-price contract to design, build and finance a new Far North hospital.
Inmate dies following assault at Toronto jail, another prisoner charged
A 54-year-old inmate at the Toronto South Detention Centre has been charged in connection with a deadly jail beating late last week that claimed the life of a 69-year-old prisoner.
Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, dead at 63
Christopher Ciccone, a multihyphenate artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna, has died. He was 63.
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of Fort Chipewyan believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.