Thatcher Demko hopes to wear his new mask ‘sooner rather than later’

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Thatcher Demko’s new mask is ready and waiting for his big return.

“I haven’t worn it on the ice yet,” the 28-year-old goalie for The Vancouver Canucks says. “I just got my hands on it last week. And I was able to go through it and see it in person. That’s always super-fun, as a player. You go through the design process, you see some pictures and videos and some updates along the way.

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“But to finally get to see it in person is a treat.”

Speaking by video call from Florida where the Canucks are set to play the Panthers on Thursday, the American athlete, who is still out with an injury, shared just how hands-on he was during the design process of the as-yet-unworn mask.

“I like to be involved. I’m pretty picky with it,” Demko says. “If I don’t like something, I don’t mind letting Trav know. And I think vice versa.”

Working with renowned mask artist Travis Michael on the latest creation, Demko and the Victoria-based Michael tapped into their go-to ‘template’ for the new mask — with a few twists.

“For the most part, we use the same template, as far as the layout goes. I like a pretty simple mask and the template that we have is pretty reliable when it comes to that,” Demko says.

The zombie Johnny Canuck, which Demko says has appeared on all but one of his masks while playing for the team, is back, along with a “wintry vibe,” giving the appearance of the design being encased under the ice. The mask also features a few nods to the team’s past.

“We wanted to use some of the older Vancouver logos,” Demko says, adding the design also honours former Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo — reportedly an ‘idol’ of Demko growing up — as well as honour two of Demko’s friends who have died.

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Throughout his years playing pro hockey, Demko has leaned in to the rare artistic break a mask affords goalies from the otherwise uniform team attire.

“We’re obviously the only guys who have the ability to show a little bit of personality with the equipment that we wear,” Demko says. “Some guys like to make it about them, maybe it’s their nickname, or stuff that they’ve been through in the past, things like that.

“It’s always been a big thing for me and my dad. He’s been a big part of the mask design process with me since I was first able to do it. He always preached to me about having respect for people that came before you, kind of paying homage to guys that have paved the way for you.”

That input saw Demko go back to when the goalie played for Team USA in the 2013 Under-18 World Championship.

“That was a big opportunity for me,” Demko says of the mask design opportunity. “I was able to pay homage to the guys that not only played for Team USA before me, but I hold a lot of respect for the guys that are in the military, and pay the ultimate sacrifice. We were able to give tribute to some of that too.

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“That’s something that I like to do, look at the history and pay respect where you can.”

Michael used the iPad Pro and Pencil Pro from Apple to create Demko’s mask, which enabled a streamlined process for both the artist and the athlete.

“The iPad really changed everything when it came out. Beforehand we were literally drawing everything on a piece of paper,” Michael says.

The digital interface allows for quick edits and updates to the design versus starting each sketch from scratch.

“You can make colour changes instantly and have it back to the guys as fast as possible,” Michael says. “It’s really cut down on design time, but also really helps give the guys a closer look at what the final product is going to be.”

As he was getting updates from Michael, Demko recalls realizing just how big of an ask his under-the-ice design really was.

“As you’re painting the mask, you’re trying to layer stuff on top of it, but you’re trying to paint it so it’s kind of see-through, so it has that realistic ice look to it,” Demko says of the unique illusion. “It didn’t really hit me until after I’d asked him to do it that, ‘Oh man, maybe I’m a little bit of an a–hole.’ ”

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Noting the mask is the most detailed design they’ve dreamed up so far, Michael says the process took a few weeks to complete.

While he’s not big on saving past team uniforms, Demko admits he keeps all of his goalie masks.

“I literally have every single one, up until the current date,” Demko says. “Hopefully, one day in the basement they will all be in chronological order. And they will be something that I can look back on and appreciate.”

For now, his masks are spread out between his family home in California, his place in Vancouver and other assorted storage areas.

Noting the “spotlight” will be shining on this particular mask as fans eagerly await his return after being out with an injury, Demko was unable to offer confirmation on just when that date might be.

“I’m just going through the process, and it’s obviously been frustrating,” Demko says. “Hopefully I’ll get the mask on in a game this year, sooner rather than later.”

Until then, he plans to don the new mask in practice, just for a time or two.

“I want to make sure it’s still fresh for that first game of the year for me,” Demko says. “I’m still rocking the one from last year, which I like that one too …

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“I have a hard time putting them away and putting them on the shelf.”

Aharris@postmedia.com

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