BLOG: Inside the Design of Mrazek, Stalock Native American Heritage Masks

In appreciation of Native American Heritage Month, Petr Mrazek and Alex Stalock each have new masks to wear throughout the month of November, designed by Potawatomi artist Nicole Banditgrey and Ojibwe artist Patrick Hunter.

"Potawatomi people were some of the original inhabitants of Chicago and being able to represent that in this way brings me so much joy," Banditgrey said of Mrazek's design inspiration. "The artists before me found beauty in our surroundings and this is where my inspiration comes from also."

Stalock will debut his mask in tonight's game against the New York Islanders and felted honored to work alongside with Hunter on the inspiration of his new helmet design.

"I was lucky enough to talk to [Patrick] and he called one day to just kind of pick my brain on stuff I enjoy, what I like doing away from the rink," Stalock said.

"Being from Minnesota, I obviously love the outdoors. I love fishing, I like hunting, I like golf, any of that stuff, anything outdoors in the summer."
The artwork displays different elements within nature such as waves and deer antlers along the side of his helmet. It also features arrows along the top of his mask to incorporate Stalock's admiration of the outdoors.

"When not playing the sport he loves, Alex likes to spend his time bow hunting deer with his brother which is where the horns on the side and arrow imagery come from," Hunter explained.

"When asked what element in nature he would be, it was water, which is where the waves on the sides come from where he enjoys fishing and playing on the ice," Hunter described.

"I think for him, he took the fishing, the water, the outdoors type of stuff and kind of implemented it into the design of the helmet," Stalock said. "It looks really cool. It's pretty simple, a white background with a lot of red... it'll be pretty unique."

Mrazek's helmet features geometric florals that represent the looming of beads that originated from Banditgrey's tribe of Potawatomi.

"The incorporation of the zig-zag design was to represent quillwork: art made from porcupine quills, one of our first art forms, and one of my personal favorites," Banditgrey said.

"These designs represent and remind me of the strong and beautiful people who have created and worn this artwork for hundreds of years before us," Banditgrey interpreted of the florals.

"I really appreciate the detail and design of this mask, it's beautiful and I'm proud to be able to wear it," Mrazek said. "Since joining this organization, it has been great to get a better understanding and learning of Native American culture, and it makes wearing this very special."