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Canada Sledge Hockey - Sochi

Goalies Benoit St-Amand & Corbin Watson

By David ARRIGO

March 7^th, 2014

#sochi problems redux

As many of my followers are aware, Sochi and specifically the IOC (International Olympic Committee) have kept me busy the past couple months while I created masks for Team Canada’s Mike Smith and Finland’s Antti Niemi. My #SochiProblems revolved around attempting to have my mask designs approved by the IOC, and in case you were not aware, I had to paint an entirely new mask for Niemi with only days leading up to the Olympics.

Why bring this up again? It’s because I had to go through the IOC scrutiny all over again for the Paralympics with the Team Canada sledge hockey goalie masks I created. Its worth pointing out how it ultimately affected my designs #SochiProblemsRedux.

I have had the honour and privilege to work closely with Hockey Canada’s sledge hockey team for several years now. It all started with Team Canada’s sledge goalie Paul Rosen when I completed his 2010 Vancouver Paralympics mask and I’m proud to say that my relationship with the sledge team has flourished from there.

For the 2014 Sochi Paralympics which kick-off on March 7th, I painted goalie masks for Team Canada netminders Benoit St-Amand and Corbin Watson.

Benoit ‘Beny’ St-Amand began to play sledge hockey after the 2002 Winter Paralympics when he was inspired while watching the Canadian national team. Only two years later he donned the Maple Leaf on his chest during his debut for the national team. At this time he was playing forward and it wasn’t until a little later that he made the transformation to goalkeeper. Having completed a number of masks with Beny, we have built up a great working relationship.

Unfortunately with his mask design for Sochi, once again, I was challenged by the IOC concerning the designs we submitted. Beny’s initial thoughts were to have the jersey numbers and names of each of his teammates in Sochi to be represented on the mask. #AsIsTradition with the IOC, this was not allowed leaving us disappointed.

We chose to go with a simple concept. A clean design incorporating a single large leaf with 26 smaller leaves (each representing his sledge hockey teammates as well as the staff going overseas). It is not visible in the photographs but the black background is actually comprised of vibrant gold flecks. There is also a hologram towards the outside of the mask where maple leafs appear and disappear as the light reflects on it. Without further adieu I present to you Beny St-Amand’s Sochi goalie mask:

Corbin watson

Corbin Watson started playing sledge hockey in 2008, making his national team debut in 2009. Watson’s Sochi mask will be the third one we collaborated on. For his Paralympic mask we tried to illustrate the edginess of his fiery personality. On a typical project this poses a challenge, toss in the IOC as a factor…. ANNNNNNDDDDD again our designs were declined by the IOC - this is not a recording -

As per the IOC we were requested to “tone” down the art, these helpful guidelines arrived only a week before the mask was suppose to ship. Needless to say I worked around the clock to finish Watson’s mask and I’m pleased with the final product. Again the pictures do not do the piece justice, but look closely and you will see the fiery tone emblazon with his maple leaf pride.

Mask-o-graphy

I want to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to both Beny and Corbin respectively. They need to know that how proud we are of them and their continuous sacrifice to put on a great show on the international stage.