Rask to Feature Patriots-Themed Winter Classic Mask

The 2016 NHL Winter Classic  is tomorrow afternoon and the anticipated unveiling leading up to the annual outdoor game are the uniforms, goalie pads and the masks the goaltenders wear.

Earlier today, the Boston Bruins showed off the mask goalie Tuukka Rask will wear when he makes the start between the pipes.

#NHLBruins#WinterClassicpic.twitter.com/fx28xmM6EO

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 31, 2015

It has a black background with his signature gold mask wiring. In addition to small white snowflakes scattered about, the features on the paint channels a few things related to the Winter Classic. The back plate has an image of Boston Garden, the arena where the Bruins called home from 1928 to 1995.

The sides of the mark pay homage to the New England Patriots, who call Gillette Stadium home during the NFL season. The left side has quarterback Tom Brady in position to throw the football while the right side has kicker Stephen Gostkowski, wide receiver Julian Edelman and tight end Rob Gronkowski.

#NHLBruins #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/2lUYZqfO1J

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 31, 2015

Tuukka’s #WinterClassic mask! #NHLBruinspic.twitter.com/wdU9pUadoK — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 31, 2015

  After practice earlier today, Rask said to NESN:

“It came out nice,” Rask said. “Our trainer, Matt Faulkner, designed it. He just had to (run) it by me and by a couple of the Patriots players who are in it. But yeah, we wanted to pay tribute to their success and some of their players and make the biggest part of the mask about the Pats. … “I’m pretty happy with the result. It’s been a secret for months now, and now you guys will see it.”

This is the second Winter Classic for Rask, who served as backup to Tim Thomas in the 2010 edition at Fenway Park.  Rask isn’t the only goalie to have the Patriots featured on their mask. Montreal goalie Mike Condon, a native of Needham, Mass., has paintings of head coach Bill Belichick, four Vince Lombardi trophies and their team motto “Do Your Job” on his back plate.