Made on iPad: Iconic NHL Goalie Mask Designs Come to Life with iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pro

Tim Cook's Nike Air Max 1 '86 sneakers aren't the only things “made on iPad” this year. The National Hockey League has also turned to the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pro for creative design inspiration.

Since the 1970s, NHL goalies have used custom masks as a form of self-expression. This year, the creators of the hockey masks for the league's top goalies took advantage of the power of iPad to bring their designs to life.

Made on iPad

With the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, Apple, the NHL and the National Hockey League Players' Association are introducing a unique creative collaboration between athletes, designers and iPad.

Goalies:

Jacob Markstrom
Jeremy Swayman
Joseph Wall
Linus Ullmark
Sam Montembeault
Stuart Skinner
Thatcher Demko

Artists:

Dave Gunnarsson
Jordon Burgo
Travis Michael

The process begins long before goalies hit the ice for the new season.

“The iPad has been a game changer for me since day one,” says renowned artist Travis Michael. “Being able to draw a design, send it to the goalie, get feedback, and make changes has made the process so much faster.”

Behind the Mask

The New Jersey Devils’ Jacob Markstrom teamed up with artist Jordon Burgo to create a mask inspired by the Jersey Devil, drawing inspiration from folklore from the 1700s. The design reflects the iconic New Jersey legend, embodying both the state’s history and the fierce spirit of its team.

Jeremy Swayman’s Boston Bruins mask, designed by Dave Gunnarsson, honors Boston’s revolutionary history with images of Paul Revere, William Prescott and a nod to the Freedom Trail. A nod to Swayman’s home state of Alaska adds personality to the design, blending his past with his current team.

Joseph Wall of the Toronto Maple Leafs worked with Gunnarsson on a mask inspired by his meditation practice, featuring serene mountain vistas including Norway’s Trolltunga. A grand piano atop the mountains represents his off-ice passion, blending calm and focus into the design.

Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators’ mask includes his family’s Viking-inspired initials and the original Ottawa Senators logo. The Montreal Canadiens' Sam Montembeault mask, designed by Jordon Bourgeau, pays tribute to Canadiens legends Plante, Dryden and Roy while also celebrating key team milestones.

Gunnarsson’s Edmonton Oilers’ Stuart Skinner mask features the Oilers’ orange oil splatter, a bear paw for his family, and his signature mustache. Vancouver Canucks’ Thatcher Demko teamed up with Travis Michael to reimagine Johnny Canuck as a zombie, adding the British Columbia Rockies and a nod to his childhood idol, Roberto Luongo.

M4 iPad Pro + Apple Pencil Pro

The 2024 iPad Pro features the Apple M4 silicon chip, Apple’s first tandem OLED display, optional anti-reflective nano-texture glass, and a thinner design. Apple Pencil Pro includes new pinch, barrel rotation, and haptic feedback features. Photoshop and Procreate for iPad are available in the App Store.