Philipp Grubauer Sports New Capitals Mask

HERSHEY, PA – Philipp Grubauer looks on during warm-ups before Saturday night’s game between Hershey and Adirondack (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

Saturday night as the Hershey Bears started their warm-ups, goaltender Philipp Grubauer stepped out of the Chocolate and White’s locker room sporting a brand new mask.

The mask was designed by artist David Gunnarsson of DAVEART and is titled “The Desolation of Grubi”. From Gunarsson’s website, he describes the mask as follows:

The Desolation of Grubi is the name of Grubauer´s new Caps mask

It is rough, it is tough, it is violent… and the colors are burning. Together it creates a totally unique tribute design to the Capital of USA.

Philipp and me wanted to create a NHL mask design in a totally new style… our ideas crystallized and this design was created in front of our eyes.

Today we have the pleasure to present the new mask art of Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer.

It is such a pleasure to be your painter Philipp and paint and create your mask art from mask to mask.

The design is loaded with all the DAVEART trademark effects, and the closer you come the more details you will discover.

At the start of the hockey season, Grubauer started in Hershey, but when Michal Neuvirth went down with an injury, Grubauer was presented with a chance to shine in the NHL. The Rosenheim, Germany native was stellar indeed, as he later returned to Hershey with 17 games in a Capitals’ uniform under is belt. With the Bears this season, “Grubi” has posted a record of 11-9-1 with a 2.72 GAA.

Below the jump, check out more photos of the mask in action.

Up close shots of the mask via Gunnarsson’s site:

Additional reporting by Matt Trust.