When former Minnesota North Stars goaltender Don Beaupre takes to the ice for Saturday night’s NHL Stadium Series alumni game at TCF Bank Stadium, he will be wearing a special throwback mask that pays homage to both the North Stars and the Wild.
Beaupre, who was drafted by Minnesota in the 2nd round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft and played 316 games with the North Stars, tried to combine elements from the team’s goaltending history, and Minnesota’s hockey present.
The mask was designed by Eric Gilbertson of Burnsville – a former goaltender himself.
Fmr Minnesota State MH G Erik Gilbertson's design for fmr North Star Don Beaupre's mask https://t.co/71uhDPcFKe pic.twitter.com/ea6teKXqzA
— Minn. St. Athletics (@MinnStAthletics) February 19, 2016
“I grew up watching the North Stars and went all-in with the opportunity, to get a chance to do a North Stars mask for the team was a huge honor,” Gilbertson told In Goal Magazine.
The mask features both the North Stars logo and the Wild’s current crest, it also recognizes many who have spent time minding the nets in Minnesota.
“Don didn’t give me any specifics at first as far as what he was looking for,” Gilbertson added. “So I put together a few mock ups and after about 5 or 6 versions we came up with the final product.”
The mask has images of Beaupre on the right side with the local skyline, it also has images of Cesare Maniago, Gump Worsley and Gilles Meloche.
Lotta photos of Don Beaupre alumni game mask floating around. We have entire mask up close https://t.co/TcDWwwGjsY pic.twitter.com/RCEK3mnYzI
— InGoal Magazine (@InGoalMedia) February 19, 2016
“It’s just kind of a throwback,” Beaupre told blogger Puck Daddy.
The mask debuts Saturday night in the alumni game against Chicago Blackhawks alumni.
