In an exclusive interview with The Hockey News, New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin explained to our Stefen Rosner his new goalie mask design.
In an exclusive interview with The Hockey News, New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin explained to our Stefen Rosner his new goalie mask design.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- During the 2022-23 season, New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin paid homage to the franchise's legends as he donned their faces on his mask.
In an exclusive interview with The Hockey News, Sorokin took me through his new mask, created by the brilliant Dave Art.
"Same top. I did the [team] name," Sorokin told The Hockey News. "Straight lines. I did the name."
As you may be able to see in the picture, there isn't a shine to the mask. All goalie helmets are made with fiberglass, but the outside of Sorokin's mask has a softer feel to it. The best way to describe it is velvety.
On both sides of the mask, Sorokin went with the alternate jersey "NY" but added a nice touch to certain Long Island landmarks.
At the top of the left side, you can find the Brooklyn Bridge. On the right side, you can see a lighthouse.
"So, it's original bridge, Brooklyn Bridge," Sorokin said. "And Montauk lighthouse.
"Yeah, so it's simple."
Sorokin also had a message to Islanders fans: "I don't know what more I can draw for Islanders. If our fans have examples of what they can draw for next mask, please send my way."
LEFT SIDE
RIGHT SIDE
Sorokin has a few things on the back of the mask that he wanted to point out.
The sticker on the left is the emblem of his hometown, Mezhdurechensk. On the right side is the logo Novokuznetsk. "[That's] where I started to play hockey," Sorokin said.
Sorokin wouldn't say why he has the line "I believe I can fly" on his mask, but did say that it's a phrase that's been on each one of his helmets.
We've seen Sorokin fly a few times, diving left and right to make some jaw-dropping saves, so it certainly makes sense.
With white dots around the entire mask, it certainly gives off a winter vibe.
Sorokin enters the 2023-24 season as a Vezina favorite after posting a 2.33 GAA, with a .924 SV%, and a league-leading five shutouts in 62 appearances a year ago.