Francouz Adds Special Touch to Goalie Mask

Finishing touches for a special night.
Pavel Francouz is entering the 2022-23 season with a special addition to his Colorado Avalanche mask.

Following an exuberant summer of celebrations after hoisting the Stanley Cup with the organization back in June, the Czech netminder collaborated with his mask artist to implement a special addition to his mask - while he waits for his brand new one to arrive in the next week or so - for Opening Night on Oct. 12.
"It's basically the same mask that I wore last year," Francouz said. "The only difference was that last year, Bernie was going downhill on the sled to Denver city, but now he is going the opposite direction to the mountains up to his home with the Stanley Cup."

Francouz's mask, which he wore all last season and throughout Colorado's Stanley Cup-winning run, is vibrantly decorated in Burgundy and Blue and with cartoon-depictions of the team's mascot, Bernie the St. Bernard.
The top front of the mask features the 'A' of the Avalanche logo in a cobalt blue, with icy white finishes. The chin of the mask is colored in an ombre burgundy shade with his No. 39 outlined in white with yeti footprints etched along each side.
On both lateral sides of his mask, are cartoon depictions of Bernie except instead of riding the wooden sled downhill, the new addition shows Bernie pulling the sled which is carrying the precious cargo of the coveted silver Stanley Cup across white snow and light blue frosted pine trees and beside a white snowman.
Francouz noted he intends to wear the mask with the thoughtful addition of the Stanley Cup for the month of October and then will transition to his new mask once it arrives and he breaks it in.
"I think it was a cool idea of my painter," Francouz said. "It was a nice tribute to the Stanley Cup for the start of the season. And I have one more mask for the regular season."
Stay tuned for more details on Francouz's brand new mask - upon its arrival - as well as his goalie partner Alexandar Georgiev's first-ever Avalanche masks.