The New Jersey Devils goalie sported a special helmet designed by New Jersey-based essential workers for warmups ahead of their game against the New York Rangers.
The Devils partnered with essential workers at RWJBarnabas Health, their official healthcare provider, to create two extra-special helmets that Blackwood and goalie Aaron Dell wore during warmups during New Jersey's series against the Rangers.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Want Mac���s 🔥 mask from warmups today?It will be signed and auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the @RWJBarnabas Health Emergency Response Fund. BID: https://t.co/Q0bQVGqWUE pic.twitter.com/jnmz9yNgN0
Casey Gilman, a child-life specialist from Manchester, New Jersey, and Jason Cianci, a pathology clerk from Basking Ridge, each submitted custom helmet designs that Dell and Blackwood ultimately wore.
Cianci's design, which Blackwood wore for warmups, featured a white base with red images as a nod to both the Devils and the primary colors used by emergency response and medical teams. It also has subtle references to the Devils' adidas Reverse Retro jerseys and the state of New Jersey with both the name "Devils" and "RWJBH" on the backplate.
Gilman's design, which Dell wore for warmups during New Jersey's game against New York on Tuesday, was also red and white and featured a multicolored Devils logo on the backplate.
"My mask represents the reasons I work in healthcare," Gilman said. "Like hockey, you need all the players and positions to be on their best game to win. Here at [Monmouth Medical Center], we have a comprehensive team of staff that makes this organization work.
Dell and Blackwood will autograph their helmets and auction them off with proceeds benefiting the RWJBarnabas Health emergency response fund.
