The Toronto Maple Leafs goalie's helmet has images of former NHL goalie Ray Emery and Hall of Fame Toronto goaltender Johnny Bower, each of whom died in the past year.
Instagram from @sylabrush: More photos of @gsparks40 new @mapleleafs paint job!!! Garret wanted to do a tribute of Ray Emery, Johnny Bower & Parker Tobin on his new Leafs mask. Very classy move 👌 #SylabrushAirbrush #WallMask #TorontoMapleLeafs #NHL
The mask, designed and painted by Sylvie Marsolais of Sylabrush Airbrush, also pays homage to Parker Tobin, the goalie for the Humboldt Broncos who passed away as a result of the tragic bus crash in April.
Garret Sparks, Toronto Maple Leafs paint job!!! @gsparks40 Wanted to do a tribute of Ray Emery, Johnny Bower & Parker Tobin on his new Leafs mask. Very classy move 👌 Best of luck with the new bucket! #SylabrushAirbrush #WallMask #TorontoMapleLeafs #NHL](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/79a0ee8b04335274c45dbb53eda64740/5C4B5891/t51.2885-15/e35/447191001812385294726656646623023593557826_n.jpg)
Emery, who played for the Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks, drowned in Hamilton, Ontario on July 15 at the age of 35. Bower, who ranks second in Maple Leafs franchise history in wins with 219 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976, died of pneumonia at 93 on Dec. 26, 2017.
Sparks' mask also honors his home city of Chicago, with its name on the back, and celebrates the Calder Cup championship he and the Toronto Marlies won this past spring. Like
Marsolais' recent designs
, Sparks' new mask also features Sub-Zero paint, which changes colors when cold water hits it.
Sparks is excited about the finished product.
