Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal has unveiled a special custom mask designed to honor his late grandmother and others battling cancer. The mask will be worn for all games during November, which is Hockey Fights Cancer Month across the league.
Dostal's mask is predominantly purple and features images of family members and friends who have been impacted by cancer. Included on the mask is a photo of his grandmother, who died from pancreatic cancer when he was a teenager. He stated that the fight against cancer is "very important" to him and sometimes means "more than the hockey."
A pink ribbon on the back of the helmet displays the names of individuals within the Ducks organization who have faced cancer, along with the quote "nothing is impossible." Dostal explained this phrase serves as his personal motto.
The mask also features a photo of Dostal with Sudarshan Maharaj, the Ducks' director of goaltending and a survivor of pancreatic cancer. "That’s a really massive achievement and I’m really happy he can be still here with us," Dostal said.
Additionally, the mask includes an image of Dostal with former collegiate goalie Paddy O’Donnell, who passed away at 23 from brain cancer. Dostal described O’Donnell as an "amazing human being" and expressed his pleasure in having known him.
On the other side of the mask, there is a picture of Dostal with his grandmother, and a woman named Veronika. Dostal met Veronika this past summer while she was making a movie for the Czech women's national team, all while battling cervical cancer. He described her as "super inspirational."
Dostal plans to auction the mask after November, with proceeds going to the Children’s Hospitals of Orange County. The Ducks are looking to improve their performance this month, having finished October with a record of 5-7-1.