Carter Hutton's Winter Classic mask honors Cardinals

St. Louis Blues goalie Carter Hutton is getting in on the fun with a baseball-themed mask for the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.

Hutton revealed his mask for the outdoor game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Busch Stadium on Monday, and it is an homage to members of St. Louis Cardinals past and present.

"I thought I would do something that's a tribute to the Cardinals," Hutton told the Blues website, "especially since we're playing at Busch Stadium and having an outdoor game there, it makes sense."
Hutton's mask has the years of the Cardinals National League-leading 11 World Series championships on the back, plus an image off former shortstop Ozzie Smith doing a backflip, which the Hall of Famer used to do each year on the Cardinals' opening day.
The front has baseball stitching, much like his Blackhawks counterpart Scott Darling, and the Cardinals and Blues logo on top. The right side features the numbers and images of catcher Yadier Molina, Hall of Fame outfielder Stan Musial and second baseman Red Schoendienst. The left side has images of Hall of Fame pitchers Dizzy Dean and Bob Gibson.

The mask was designed and painted Massachusetts-based Jesse Acciacca. Although Hutton is a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, he is excited to further link St. Louis' pro teams.
"I've always been a big baseball fan; seeing Cardinal Nation from the outside, now being part of it and being around it is awesome," Hutton said. 'It's quite an honor to even get to play at Busch Stadium, so this is a great way for me to pay tribute to such a legendary team and such an iconic ballpark. I think this helmet does a great job of showing the connection between the Blues and Cardinals, and I think Cardinal Nation will really appreciate it."