Vitek Vanecek is expected to back up Ilya Samsonov next season and now he will have a mask that looks the part.
Tuesday, Swedish mask painter Dave Gunnarsson released the design of Vanecek’s new bucket. The predominant design feature is the Weagle logo which is featured on the top of mask. Other subtle details include blue stars on the chin and a subtractive Capitals logo in white on the sides.
Ilya Samsonov is the latest Washington Capitals goaltender to show off his new buckets for next season joining Henrik Lundqvist, Pheonix Copley, and Zach Fucale.
The second-year goalie posted a photo of himself holding up two different masks he had painted by Swedish airbrusher Dave Gunnarsson. Sammy posed next to his tiny Christmas tree at home.
“Thank you @daveart ready for battle👍💪,” Samsonov wrote on Instagram.
Monday, the debut of new goalie masks continued as Pheonix Copley’s 2021 bucket was released by Swedish airbrusher David Gunnarsson.
The dominant features of Copley’s design combine white stars, oversized Weagle wings, and the Capitals’ wordmark for a bold red and blue look. The chin also features two crossed candy canes symbolizing Copley’s home of North Pole, Alaska.
“The new Caps mask creation for my friend Pheonix Copley was a joy to create,” Gunnarsson wrote. “It is crisp and clean on a distance, all built on the awesome team logos. It lives and breathes Washington Capitals with the red bottom and crisp white details, and when you come closer the 3️⃣-D FX delivers… Thanks Pheonix for the paint ride!”
Braden Holtby is a member of the Vancouver Canucks and it’s getting really real now.
On Friday, Holtby’s longtime mask painter, David Gunnarsson, debuted the Holtbeast’s new bucket for his first season in The Couve.
According to Gunnarsson, the design of Holtby’s mask is based “on the myth of the Thunderbird, a Canadian northwest coast myth. The huge Thunderbird is flying over the mountains to the ocean to catch orcas with his huge claws. A totally perfect story to create on a Canucks mask.”
By Ian Oland 8 months ago
This is the way (to have one of the coolest goalie masks in hockey).
Florida Panthers’ goaltender Chris Driedger recently teased his new bucket on social media which is being painted by David Gunnarsson of @DaveArt.
The lid has tributes to the hit Disney+ show The Mandalorian and features illustrations of Din Djarin and Grogu (The Child). “Love to create sketch drawings direct on the masks,” Gunnarsson wrote on Instagram.
Capitals 2015 first round pick Ilya Samsonov has hit his stride in Hershey. He’s got two shutouts and 15 wins, and has helped the Bears set a new franchise record point streak.
Earlier in the season, Samsonov debuted a Capitals-themed bucket during the NHPLA’s rookie showcase.
Dave Gunnarsson is back at it again with the airbrush, and designed a new Hershey Bears themed helmet for Samsonov.
By Julia Karron 2 years ago
Swedish mask artist Dave Gunnarsson has been the mask artist for several current and former Caps goalies, including Braden Holtby, Philipp Grubauer, and Ilya Samsonov.
Friday afternoon, Gunnarsson revealed the newest Capitals-themed design that he created for the team’s likely new backup, Pheonix Copley. It’s a gem.
By Rachel Cohen 3 years ago
Last week, former Capitals backup goalie Philipp Grubauer unveiled his new mask for is new team courtesy of Swedish airbrush artist Dave Gunnarsson.
On Wednesday, the Capitals posted Braden Holtby’s new bucket for the 2018-19 season on the team’s Twitter account.
By Julia Karron 3 years ago
Philipp Grubauer’s said a heartfelt goodbye after his trade to the Colorado Avalanche this offseason.
But a new team means new gear for the former Capitals backup goalie.
Swedish airbrush artist Dave Gunnarsson delivered again with his Rocky Mountain themed helmet, which features “Grubi” on the chin and the Colorado “C” logo under the Rocky Mountains.
By Julia Karron 3 years ago
On October 1, 2017, tragedy rocked Las Vegas when 58 people were killed in a devastating shooting. The Golden Knights paid tribute to those victims during their opening night pregame ceremony, rallying behind the #VegasStrong mantra that would follow them through the season and all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
Now, goaltender Oscar Dansk has continued that tribute with the mask that he is debuting for the 2018-19 season. Designed by Dave Gunnarsson, the mask features 58 Golden Knights logos, representing each of the lives lost, painted across the top. It also has “Vegas Strong” emblazoned on the front.
By Donya Abramo 3 years ago
