If the key to a fanbase’s heart is through the past, then goaltender Antoine Bibeau should have a few more supporters in tow for the 2016-17 season.
The Toronto Marlies goaltender and airbrush artist Sylvie Poitras unveiled a new mask Wednesday and it pays tribute to former Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Felix Potvin.
Bibeau’s mask features Potvin’s iconic “cat” design and airbrushed images of the two-time NHL all-star in his Koho Maple Leafs gear.
Potvin spent parts of eight seasons with the Maple Leafs after bursting onto the scene in 1992-93 and helping the club reach the Clarence Campbell Conference final.
The 1993 Calder Trophy finalist appeared in 635 games with the Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, and Boston Bruins over the course of his career. His “cat” mask design never changed, only the colours.
Bibeau appeared in 40 games with the Marlies in 2015-16 and registered a 28-9-1 record, 2.70 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage. The 22-year-old played in 12 post-season games and posted a 2.73 goals-against average and .900 save percentage to go with a 6-5 record.
