San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi had a new mask painted for him that will be used next season and it is pretty cool. On the mask he has the San Jose Sharks logo as well as soldiers from the Legendary Finnish Winter War. The creator provided some insight on the mask:
It is a tribute to the Finnish people and the legendary heroes of the Finnish Winter War from year 1939 to 1940.
The Finnish people showed what they were made of through this in so many ways cold winter. The little land fought like true patriots against the invaders.
I was so honored when Antti wanted me to create this design for him. I´ve read so much about the Finnish Winter War since I was a kid, I´ve always been so fascinated by the Finnish people´s courage.
The design is fully loaded with details and you can follow the story all over the mask. The upper part of the mask is created as a map of Finland, and the lower parts opens up and the Sharks theme comes out.
You find it all here. The amazing Finnish soldiers on one side skiing in their white winter uniforms. The Finnish chief commander Gustaf Mannerheim that later became the Finnish President is also a part of the design, just as the famous statue of him.
You also find the map of Finland, the Finnish lion, and also the Winter War Campaign Medal of 1939-1940 that was awarded to Finnish soldiers for fighting the invading Soviet Russian armies.
Very cool gesture on Niemi’s part and the artist did a fantastic job painting it.
[Dave Art]
