Genting Casino Coventry Blaze netminder Mat Robson was thrilled to debut his brand-new mask this weekend – a design that is as meaningful as it is striking.
Earlier in the season, Mat invited supporters to submit their own design ideas, and elements from several entries were skilfully combined by the incredibly talented Rebecca Thomson to create the final masterpiece.
At the heart of the design is the vision of Andrew Bremmler, whose submission seamlessly blends Coventry’s rich heritage with Mat’s Canadian roots.
The background features a textured map of Coventry, grounding the design in local history. A bold, stylized Blaze dragon adorns the sides, bringing the team’s fierce identity to life.
On the front, a silhouetted skyline of Coventry, featuring its most iconic landmarks, adds an elegant touch – a detail inspired by several fan submissions.
To celebrate his Canadian roots, a vibrant maple leaf with Mat’s number 20 proudly sits at the front. This is a meaningful number for Mat who wears it to honour one of his best friends who passed away in high school.
The back of the mask is equally personal, featuring a Welsh dragon – drawn from Stacey Smith’s design – paying tribute to Mat’s mother’s heritage. Alongside it, a fleur-de-lis represents another meaningful connection, for his grandmother whose family comes from Quebec.
The mask also carries the logo of The New Albany pub, as a gesture of gratitude for their support – Joey, has taken care of Mat and teammates this season and has become like family to the Canadian, so it’s fitting for them to have a place on the backplate.
Mat and the Coventry Blaze would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who submitted designs. Your creativity and passion made this project truly special, and we’re excited to showcase many of the incredible entries below.
A special thanks also goes to Rebecca Thomson, whose artistic vision brought everything together beautifully.
Finally, Mat really appreciates the support of Bev and Tom Cox who covered the cost of painting via sponsorship.
