Up next in THN's series is Swedish U18 national team and Frölunda netminder Maja Helge. 17-year-old Helge is 5-3-0 with a .900 save percentage, a 2.52 goals against average and one shutout in nine SDHL starts this season.
Name: Maja Helge
Date of Birth: January 19, 2007
Hometown: Växjö, Sweden
Youth Team: Växjö Lakers HC
Mask
Brand and model: Bauer 960
Painted by: Jens Fredricsson
Design: My mask is inspired by [former NHL goalie] Felix Potvin's famous design with added moose horns. The colours match Frölunda's jerseys. On my backplate there is a lion called the Småland's Lion, because I'm from a city located in [the southern Swedish region of] Småland. I also have a race car from a children's show on the backplate.
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Chest Protector
Brand and model: Bauer Shadow
Tucked or Untucked? Tucked
Customizations: Custom colors -- red and green
Pads
Brand and model: Bauer Shadow
Size: M
Design: Similar to the mask, have I Felix Potvin inspired pads but with Frölunda's “Tags” from our game jerseys. A you can see, the pads are mostly green with red tags.
Strapping: Mostly velcro, but I also use the Lundy loop and one professor strap. Elastic toe ties.
Gloves
Brand and Model: Bauer Shadow, 590 break, no mods
Sticks
Brand and Model: Bauer m50 Pro
Tape Job: I tape my stick from heel to toe with white tape. I add a single lap of black tape at the heel. I buy finished, white rubber knobs.
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Skates
Brand and Model: Bauer Elite. I wear the Elites instead of the Pros because I prefer a softer boot.
Do you have any equipment you wear for luck? I wear the same base layer and hair tie for every game.
Any game day superstitions? I always do the same warm up, put my gear on the same way and have a handshake with my teammate Nellie [Svensson].
Favorite goalie when you were a child? Henrik Lundqvist
Favorite set of gear you have ever owned: I played with [former Swedish national team goalie] Viktor Fasth's old equipment my last season in Växjö.
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Why did you become a goalie? I tried it once and it was fun!
Which SDHL goalie, other than yourself, has the best style? [Frölunda teammate] Steph Neatby