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Why Montembeault’s Snake Mask Is One of the NHL’s Best
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Why Montembeault’s Snake Mask Is One of the NHL’s Best

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk  |  By Old Prof  |  Last updated Apr 6, 2026 6:39 PM ET

Goalie masks are weird little masterpieces — part safety gear, part billboard, part personal crest. They have to survive pucks and sticks, but they also carry personality: team colours, tribute touches, inside jokes, and enough visual noise to maybe distract an opponent (or at least make the highlight reel look better).

A Lot of Artistic Insight Goes Into Painting a Goalie Mask

The artists who paint them have to think about shape, glare off the cage, and how a design reads from 100 feet away — and in slow motion. Done right, a mask becomes part of a goalie’s identity.

Now, onto Montembeault’s snake mask — and why, yes, I’ll say it: it’s one of the best in the league. [You can see a bit of the mask below. For an up-close look, click the link here.]

First, this isn’t a slapped-on decal job. This is real, thoughtful work. The scales aren’t just hinted at — they feel layered, almost tactile, like you could reach out and feel them. The skeleton elements weaving through the design are eerie, but not overdone. There’s a bit of menace there, but it never tips into something tacky. That balance is hard to pull off. This one handles it well.

The Artist Had to Consider the Shape of the Mask as Well

The technical side matters, too. The artist clearly thought about the cage, the curves of the mask, and how light hits different parts of it. Even the straps and backplate get some attention. These little details make the whole mask feel connected rather than pieced together. From the cheap seats or up close, it works. Up close, you start noticing the smaller details. It’s the kind of design that rewards a second look.

The colours are handled nicely as well. Bright, but not loud for the sake of being loud. The way the snake pattern ties into the team logo and number is a nice touch — it makes the mask feel like part of the uniform, not just something extra. And that bulldog on the backplate? Small, a bit sneaky, and very Montreal. A nice little nod for anyone paying attention.

For an NHL Goalie, Their Mask Displays Their Confidence

Beyond how it looks, masks like this say something. For a goalie, it’s a bit of confidence on display — you’re not hiding back there. It gives teammates a lift and gives fans something to talk about. And for photos and social media, it’s perfect. Every time it shows up, people notice.

In short, Montembeault’s mask checks all the boxes — idea, execution, and how it actually looks in a game. From the cheap seats or up close, it works. If you’re ranking goalie masks, Montembeault’s snake design belongs near the top. It’s art that also happens to stop pucks, and that’s about as good as it gets.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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