BEHIND THE MASK

BY JARED CLINTON

IN A TIME OF chrome finishes and sensory-overloading design, the mask that Marc-Andre Fleury commissioned for the Minnesota Wild’s Native American Heritage Night again proves simplicity is beautiful. Designed by Mdewakanton Dakota artist Cole Redhorse Taylor, the decoration of Dakota florals – unintentionally tying into Fleury’s ‘Flower’ nickname – was hand-painted by Shell Shock Designs’ Noah Ennis, while the original Dakotan name of the Minnesota territory, Mni Sota Makoce, is featured behind the cage. Due to the NHL’s ill-conceived restrictions on equipment supporting social causes, Fleury was told he risked fines if he wore the mask during the Wild’s Nov. 24 game. While Fleury didn’t end up playing that night, he did don the helmet for warmups. Fleury’s stance and its design resonated: the mask, auctioned after the game in…

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The Hockey News (Digital) - 1 Issue, Rookie Issue 2024

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