Red Wings goalie masks get assist from Dave Strader

Dave Strader broke into NHL broadcasting with the Detroit Red Wings in 1985, and when it came time for the Red Wings to host Hockey Fights Cancer night, they asked for his assistance designing lavender masks for goalies Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek.

Strader was diagnosed with cancer in June, and wanted his designs to honor some of the greatest figures during his tenure as Red Wings broadcaster from 1985-1996 as the team plays its last season in Joe Louis Arena. Strader now calls games for the Dallas Stars.
"I can't thank Paul Boyer, the longtime Red Wings equipment manager and the Red Wings organization enough for calling me to be involved," Strader told FOX Sports Detroit.
"One of the things we talked about, well you know it's the last year at 'The Joe,' what about maybe one of the goalies honoring some of the goalies who have played in the arena?"

Mrazek's mask features goalies Mike Vernon, Chris Osgood, Dominik Hasek and Terry Sawchuk. Sawchuk's portrait is from his feature in LIFE Magazine in 1966 when he sported fake scars applied by a makeup artist in a recreation of his injuries during his career.
Howard, the Red Wings starter against the Boston Bruins on Saturday, got a mask with images of Bob Probert and Darren McCarty, plus Strader's likeness on the back. Philadelphia-area artist Franny Drummond painted the masks and posted the images
to his Instagram page
.

"In one way or another [cancer has] all affected us in some way," Howard said in a video posted to the Bruins website. "It's something small, but it can generate a lot. It's an honor to be able to do this tonight."