Young Artist Produces Preds Designs, Proud to be Part of Hockey Community

The designs started simply enough; the product of a high-school student named Corwin trying to cheer up a friend who was having a "wicked bad day" not too long ago.
Both hockey fans, Corwin knew their companion would appreciate a unique gift, but instead of the time-consuming process of drawing a virtual player on an iPad, they decided a jersey on a goose might be a bit more conducive to getting a laugh.
The friend gave the desired reaction, loving the look of a bird sporting a sweater from a favorite sport, and Corwin's first design of its kind was born.

Known as

on Twitter, Corwin has picked up a collection of followers thanks to their unique artwork, primarily consisting of hockey designs - some with animals, some without - including portraits of players, plus a number of tarot cards that depict players in different situations.
In addition to a number of fans who follow along, the artwork also caught the eye of the Predators. Now, a t-shirt design is in the works, and virtual wallpapers of Preds players Pekka Rinne, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Filip Forsberg have been shared via the team's Twitter account in recent weeks, humbling exposure for the young artist.

"I like creating things, and it just makes me feel really happy, and I like that," Corwin said. "It was wicked cool like that so many people have really liked my designs, and everyone seemed to really have a great time with it."
Corwin, a right-catching goalie who continues to embrace their hobby, is also nonbinary, a characteristic that's just part of their story. As Pride Month comes to a close, Corwin is proud to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community who has also felt so welcomed into the hockey family.
"Celebrating Pride, it's important," Corwin said. "It's kind of like highlighting my community and allowing voices that have historically been misunderstood or kind of ignored be heard… I've grown up and felt really comfortable coming out, and I know that some of my friends had a much harder time. Pride month is a time of just recognizing people for what they've done and who they are and just acknowledging that we're here and we've always been here.

"The support is wicked amazing. I've made a bunch of friends, both from just growing up and watching hockey together, and then there's other friends I've made through Twitter and things where it's just so supportive. For a lot of us, it's really nice to have people you know who understand things and who are coming from the same place as I am."
In addition to NHL players and themes, Corwin has also made art depicting the National Women's Hockey League - the NWHL - and they appreciate efforts from both Leagues to make the game more inclusive, including the NHL's Hockey Is For Everyone campaign.
"There's such a large family of queer hockey fans, and I feel like the fact that the Hockey Is For Everyone mantra is there makes them feel recognized," Corwin said. "I feel like that's something that we need to just make the sport more welcoming."
Corwin has felt that love more than ever, thanks in part to meeting fellow fans through their designs, and now they're part of the Nashville hockey community, too. The artwork continues to bring people together, and for a high-school student who just happens to have a creative hobby, those interactions are the best thing about it all.
"I just draw because I enjoy it, and I'm just glad that people like it," Corwin said. "It makes me feel really happy."