Marc Andre Fleury reveals the former goalie that inspired his new mask.

If you ever had any doubts about how special a mask and it's design is to a goaltender in the National Hockey League, all you would have to do to dispel those doubts from your mind would be to look at the amount of effort and thought that goes into their creation. 

Thanks to a high profile goalie trade at the National Hockey League's trade deadline back in March we got to see a new goalie mask on display recently when veteran goaltender Marc Andre Fleury debuted a brand new goalie mask for his new team, the Minnesota Wild. Even for one that was put together in relatively short order there is plenty of detail that went into this mask.

On the side we can see a big symbol that looks like a "W" likely for Wild or perhaps an upside down "M" for his own name. Fleury also has a message on the back of his helmet that I suspect is similar to one he has had on his past helmets, but he hasn't officially confirmed that. Fleury was willing to confirm some of the details about his mask this week though, with the Wild's newest goaltender explaining the large beast on his helmet as well as a few decorative pieces on the back.

According to Minnesota Wild insider Mike Russo, Fleury described the creature as a "wild beast with his mouth open" while adding that the design had been inspired by one worn by former NHL goaltender Andy Moog who famously played for the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens during a 713 game NHL career. 

If you've never seen Moog's mask, one that he wore during his time as a goaltender for the Boston Bruins, here's a great shot of it:

Fleury added that there were some flowers on the back of the mask, for obvious reasons, and he would also express that it was somewhat sacrilegious on his part, as a fan of the Montreal Canadiens, to draw inspiration from a former Bruins goalie. Perhaps he can take comfort in the fact that Moog also played briefly for the Habs at the end of his NHL career.

Here are a few shots of Fleury's new mask courtesy of the Minnesota Wild: