Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blocks a shot by Dallas Stars center Radek Faksa, back right, as Wild center Connor Dewar tries to clear Faska from the goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Marc-Andre Fleury wore a custom mask for the Minnesota Wild’s Native American Heritage night Friday after being told by the NHL it was not allowed.
Fleury took the ice for the team’s game against the Colorado Avalanche wearing the specially designed mask. Agent Allan Walsh confirmed earlier in the day the league informed his client he couldn’t wear the mask, even for warmups.
The NHL prohibits players from wearing specialty jerseys, masks, stickers, decals or tape for theme nights.
The league initially banned players from using rainbow-coloured tape on Pride nights before reversing that decision after receiving backlash from around the hockey community. Teams are not allowed to dress players in themed jerseys for warmups this season after a handful of players decided last season to opt out of Pride Night warmups that included specialty jerseys.
With the Wild celebrating Native American Heritage night Friday against Colorado, Fleury wanted to honour his wife, Véronique, an Indigenous woman, with a specially designed mask. Walsh said Fleury offered to pay whatever fine he’d receive and the NHL threatened to levy the organization with an “additional significant fine.”
It was not clear how much either of those fines would be. The Wild had no comment, while messages sent to the NHL regarding the situation were not immediately returned.
Fleury, 38, is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and won the Vézina Trophy in 2021 as the league’s top goaltender.
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AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell contributed.
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