On Monday, Capitals’ 2015 first-round pick Ilya Samsonov got a surprise start in Team Russia’s World Championship semifinal game against the United States. Samsonov was fantastic in Russia’s 2-1 win over the United States (Russia will now play Finland in the gold medal game), but talk on social media was more focused on his mask.
That’s because the 18-year-old netminder is sporting an Assassin’s Creed themed bucket. Now I know literally nothing about the video game (the most recent system I own is a PlayStation 2), so I’ll let RMNB reader Brian Phillips explain.
Hi, fellow Caps fans! I was looking at Twitter while on my lunch hour, and I happened upon @myregularface putting a call out for anyone to get a screenshot of Team Russia goaltender & Caps prospect Ilya Samsonov’s goalie mask. Twitter user @chrishowrad obliged.
@myregularface @BmoreDaveS pic.twitter.com/7L8sDFJqbZ
— Chris Howard (@Chrishowrad) January 4, 2016
Apparently, Samsonov is a fan of Assassin’s Creed, a series of historical science-fiction open-world video games (as well as other media), featuring several fictional characters who, in the course of their adventures, interact with real-life historical figures.
On the right side of his mask is the character Edward Kenway, from Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
Another camera angle, this time from the left, shows the Native-American character Ratonhnhaké:ton from its prequel Assassin’s Creed III.
It’s fun to see young goalies embracing pop culture and their hobbies and incorporating that into their mask.
Assassin’s Creed III Trailer
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Trailer
