Minnesota Wild Goalie Defies NHL Ban with Custom Mask
Defying a league ban, Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury took to the ice on Friday night wearing a personalized face mask, risking significant fines from the NHL.
The ban was imposed as part of the league’s policy against players donning specialty gear for theme nights, such as Native American Heritage Night.
Fleury intended to honor his Indigenous wife, Veronique, with the mask, adorned with Indigenous drawings.
League Restrictions and Past Controversies
The NHL has a history of restricting players from using personalized gear on theme nights, extending to jerseys, masks, stickers, decals, and tape.
The ban on rainbow-colored tape for Pride nights was initially in place but was later reversed after facing criticism.
This season, players are not allowed to wear themed jerseys during warm-ups, a response to some players opting out of Pride Night warm-ups in the previous season.
Fleury’s Defiance and Potential Consequences
Despite the NHL’s warning of a significant fine, Fleury proceeded with his plan to wear the custom mask during team warm-ups.
The player’s agent expressed a willingness to cover any fines, but the league hinted at imposing an additional substantial fine on the organization itself.
The exact amount of the fines remains unclear. The Minnesota Wild refrained from commenting on the situation, and there was no immediate response from the NHL.
Fleury’s Accomplishments and Career Highlights
Marc-Andre Fleury, a 38-year-old goaltender, boasts an impressive career with three Stanley Cup championships and the Vezina Trophy for being the league’s top goaltender in 2021.
Despite the potential repercussions, Fleury’s decision to honor his wife on Native American Heritage Night adds a personal touch to the game.
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