When Hunter Miska hits the ice for the Penticton Vees, he’s going to look good.
He could very well cause jaws to drop with the saves that he makes, but his appearance will be sharp.
Miska revealed on Twitter Wednesday the mask he will don this season. It took him two days to complete the mask, but most of the work was done by his father Todd Miska. Todd knows a thing or two about painting masks since he’s done it for NHLers Ed Belfour, Mikka Kiprusoff, Manny Fernandez and Josh Harding, among others.
Miska said he wanted to get started on it before his father gets swamped working on masks for his clients. When it came to designing his mask, the goalie took a simple approach.
“I just took the logo and made it big on both sides and then had Vees right down the side on each side and did 35 with the American flag in the background,” said Hunter, admitting he doesn’t know a lot about the Vees’ history. “It looks more fresh from the stands too. People can tell what’s really on the mask. If I had too much stuff on there they wouldn’t be able to tell from far away.”
He was very happy with the finished product.
When asked if he is developing an interest in following his father’s footsteps, Hunter said it would be “kind of cool,” but admitted he doesn’t have the patience, though he said he has a creative side.
“It’s really time consuming to do it,” he said. “There is so much stuff you have to do, masking the helmet, painting over, cut it with an X-Acto blade, paint it again. It’s fun. It’s a good little hobby but I don’t think I will be taking over.”
Hunter will keep his focus on stopping pucks. A draft pick of the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League, Hunter, also had interest from the Austin Bruins in the North American Hockey League, the WHL and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Hunter chose the Vees because he said the organization is a good fit for him. He ended up with the Vees as the Gamblers had a logjam between the pipes and the Vees contacted them about goalies.
“I’m really excited. I think we’re going to have a great year,” said Hunter, who plans on arriving in Penticton on Aug. 12. “Hopefully get a college scholarship. “I’m just really excited to have a good season, win a championship.”