SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

From Blank Canvas to Work of Art

Published on December 3, 2013 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. -- Very few will forget classic goaltender masks like Curtis Joseph's "Cujo," or Eddy, "The Eagle" Belfour's masks. Masks are not just a protective barrier for goalies to feel comfortable in the net, but they have become a statement since the first painted mask was worn in 1974 by Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender, Jim Rutherford.

Over the summer, Mississippi RiverKings goaltender Matt Krahn, felt he needed to get into the act and design his mask for the upcoming season. The 22-year-old began his second professional season with a new look.

"I like designing masks and brainstorming new ideas for them," said Krahn. "I gave my ideas to a guy of mine in Winnipeg and asked if he could get it done before I left and he said absolutely."

During the month-long process over the summer, Krahn, sat down with his computer searching for logos. Dipping into some personal photos as well, Krahn highlighted a monumental moment in his life with the birth of his first child a year ago by placing his and his girlfriend's children on the right side.

"I gave him a portrait of Carter and Colby and asked him to put it on there. It really represents what's most important in my life," said Krahn. "He did a great job with it, going with the cartoony theme. He made them more like caricatures; it's unreal and looks just like them."

Goalie masks are notorious for intimidating players attacking the net, but for Krahn the mask was more about having a good paint job. The mask features Sheldon the turtle and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles breaking through a brick wall.

Unlike the wall on his mask, no one is breaking through Krahn. He is third in the league in goal against average (1.78), and is the league's only netminder without a regulation loss (5-0-1).

This is not Krahn's first attempt at creating a mask. His creative side came out on the mask he wore while playing for the OCN Blizzard in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

"It had an old-school logo of the team on one side, and on the other side, I did an abominable snowman throwing a snowball and the team name on the top," said Krahn.

"Old-school" logos have fascinated Krahn for years. While adding to his recent mask, Krahn placed the Memphis RiverKings "M" logo on the left side. Then, Krahn added one last childhood touch to the mask on the back plate.

"I put Peter the Puck, the old mascot for Hockey Night in Canada, on there. I just thought he was fun and having him on my mask represents one of my tattoos as well."

Krahn's childhood was filled with watching Hockey Night in Canada, considering his dad, a fellow goaltender himself, loved the Montreal Canadians. He still remembers the days of heading to the rink to watch his dad play. When asked who is favorite goalie mask growing up was, Krahn, did not hesitate, blurting out Montreal's Ken Dryden.

"He was my dad's favorite goaltender and I just liked the color scheme on it," said Krahn. "I would love to put his mask somewhere on mine, just not sure where."

Krahn wants to continue adding to his mask and loves seeing people's ideas come to life. For him it's not about the "look good, feel good, play good," mentality that comes with the equipment, it's about having fun.

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