We’ve all seen the elaborate designs on NHL goaltenders masks.  Ever since Detroit net minder Jim Rutherford painted a pair of red wings around the eye holes of his goalie mask in 1974, the designs have only gotten more elaborate and, well, cool.  They’ve ranged from Mike Richter’s patriotic statue of liberty design to the scary rabid dog of Curtis “Cujo” Joseph and all points in between. 

Every player dreams of having their own design and identity on their mask, helmet or stick.  But most parents realize kids will outgrow their equipment, their tastes will change, and that they will probably not play for the same team forever.  Not looking to shell out NHL money, they opt for the generic helmet. 

Now, thanks to Wrapmymask.com, a company out of Port St. Lucie, FL, players of all ages and skill levels can have professional, personalized equipment just like the pros, but without the NHL price tag.  Wrapmymask.com specializes in the customization of helmets, masks and sticks at a reasonable price, with helmets starting at $150 and sticks at $40.
     The idea started when owner Luc Rivet’s son, a hockey player, decided he wanted to be a goaltender. 

     “I bought the equipment,” says Rivet, “and I got the mask and we decided to get it painted, to make it look cool.  I’m Canadian, and a U.S. citizen, so I wanted something half Canada, half USA.  Looking around for paint jobs, it was way too much.  I was getting quotes from $500-1000, so I looked around for more options.”
      Realizing that custom paint jobs were both expensive and susceptible to chipping and cracking, Rivet came up with his own idea.

      “I contacted close to 100 companies, “Rivet says, “and nobody could do what I wanted, which was a plastic type wrap that I could stretch over a mask or helmet.  Meanwhile, I had a computer program so I started goofing around with some designs and finally found a company that said they could do what I wanted.  I brought them my design; they printed it and showed me how to put it on.”

      At that point, Rivet was happy to have a customized helmet for his son.  It wasn’t until he went to the rink to watch his son play that the idea of forming his own business took shape.
      “I put it on my son’s mask,” Rivet says, “and it looked just like a paint job.  Once I went to the rink with him everyone was asking where I got the job done and where could they get one.  So I thought, ‘well, let me get a company going.’  I always wanted to do something for hockey; I’ve been around hockey my whole life and the people who play hockey and buy stuff, it’s expensive.  I wanted to do something that everyone can afford.”

      The customization process consists of the design being embedded in a stretchy, plastic like material that can contain artwork or even high quality pictures if you really want to personalize your mask or helmet.  After the design is printed, a protective coating is put on and then the staff at Wrapmymask.com applies heat and pressure to apply it over the mask or helmet.  Lastly, a clear coat is added for extra protection against pucks and sticks.

      Wrapmymask.com has customized masks ranging from individual helmets to the equipment of entire travel teams.  One minor league goaltender contacted Rivet recently because, after being hit in the chin with a puck, his paint job chipped everywhere. 

      “It’s the second time it’s happened,” says Rivet, “so he wants to try out our product now.”
       Because Wrapmymask.com’s designs are embedded in a plastic like material, they are less susceptible to the rigors of hockey.  Puck marks and other blemishes wipe right off.  Even stick scratches are less prominent than they are on their painted counterparts. 

       Wrapmymask.com has done designs ranging from bulldogs and barracudas, to a castle and dragons, even an elaborate New York City skyline.  Players can choose from designs already created by Wrapmymask.com, or bring in their own artwork.  Anything you can dream up, the company can put it on your equipment. 
     And don’t worry if you’re not an artist, the design team at wrapmymask.com can help craft a mask for you.

     “If they don’t have artwork,” Rivet says, “if they just tell me basically what they want to do, then I create a template for them and go back and forth to make sure that’s what they want.  We can tweak it around; do anything they want, change color, anything they want.”

      And don’t worry if you change teams or see another design you like better; you won’t have to scrap the helmet.  Wrapmymask.com can remove the design and replace it, usually at a discount for repeat customers. 

      For more information about Wrapmymask.com, to see more of their designs, or to start the customization process, visit their website, wrapmymask.com, or call, toll free, at 1-877-606-1502.