Few pieces of hockey equipment carry the same mystique as the goalie mask. It’s not just protective gear but an iconic canvas that tells the story of the player, the team, and the community they represent. This season, thanks to a collaboration between Apple, the NHL, and the NHLPA, that tradition gets a modern twist. With the powerful tools of the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pro, renowned mask artists like Jordon Bourgeault and Dave Gunnarsson are bridging distance and time zones to collaborate closely with NHL stars, creating masks that embody both high-tech precision and deeply personal storytelling.
Goalie mask artists & iPad Pro are behind the mask designs of some of the NHL’s top goaltenders, using iPad Pro & Apple Pencil Pro to create the hand-painted artwork on their masks.
— NHL (@NHL) October 9, 2024
Goalie Masks #MadeoniPad by @daveartofficial, @jboairbrush, & @tmkustoms.
NHL x @NHLPA x @Apple pic.twitter.com/qLbzfNZ10V
For Jeremy Swayman, the Boston Bruins goalie, his mask is more than a piece of equipment—it’s a powerful reminder of the legacy he’s now part of. “The spoked B on this mask is a reminder that I play for an Original Six team and all the players and people who came before me to make this organization what it is today,” Swayman explains. His mask, designed by Swedish artist Dave Gunnarsson, weaves together Boston’s historical symbols, including statues of Paul Revere and William Prescott. It’s a tribute to the city’s values of leadership and resilience, qualities that Swayman aspires to bring to the ice. “This mask is an expression of my appreciation, gratitude, and excitement to play for this community and organization,” he shares, noting that every detail speaks to his roots in Boston and Alaska.
The spoked B on this mask is a reminder that I play for an Original Six team
Swayman, Boston Bruins goalie
The process behind these masks is where the fusion of art and tech truly shines. Jordon Bourgeault, who designed the mask for Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom, shared how the iPad Pro and ProCreate app allow him to create and revise designs with a level of flexibility that traditional mediums can’t match. “Using the iPad to create my drafts is awesome because being a digital medium, I can quickly export and send a copy to the goalie for approval and make changes on the fly,” Bourgeault explains. This adaptability is essential for collaborating with athletes who bring personal touches to each design—whether it’s Markstrom’s homage to Swedish hockey roots or the subtle tributes to loved ones, like pets or family members, that appear on the backplates of many masks.
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Swayman, whose mask reflects both his Boston pride and Alaskan roots, notes that technology has changed the way goalies can engage with their own mask designs. “Thanks to iPad, collaboration is easy from far away,” he says. “I know technology didn’t always allow for this level of collaboration between artist and goalie, and I really appreciate the partnership.” For Swayman, Gunnarsson’s use of ProCreate allowed for real-time feedback on sketches and an ease of communication that made his mask feel like a co-creation, despite Gunnarsson’s being halfway across the world.
Beyond the functionality, the digital tools have introduced new artistic possibilities for Bourgeault and other artists. “My favorite feature of the Apple Pencil Pro was definitely barrel roll,” Bourgeault says, highlighting how he used this function to capture details like the texture of fur on Markstrom’s Jersey Devil-themed mask. With the touch of a digital brush, he could shift line weights, control fur direction, and even create realistic textures. The double-tap feature, which switches between drawing and erasing, has become second nature to him, making the creative process both seamless and immersive. “The haptic feedback allows me to know when it’s switched, so there’s no confusion. Love that they’ve added that,” he adds.
The masks, each a blend of team history and personal narrative, reflect the intersection of tradition and technology that resonates with both sports lovers and design enthusiasts. Swayman’s mask, with nods to Boston’s Freedom Trail and Alaskan landscapes, is as much a tribute to his journey as it is a piece of professional gear. “Every time I put it on, I’m reminded that I represent the Boston Bruins and can strive to continue the winning traditions of this franchise,” he says.
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For goalies and artists alike, this project is about capturing a sense of identity, pride, and history in a single piece of equipment. With tools like the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pro, the creative potential for goalie masks is entering a new era—one where tradition meets innovation, and every mask is as unique as the player wearing it.
