Over the summer, the Colorado Avalanche signed three goalie prospects to new entry-level contracts. One of them belongs to Boston University Terriers standout Kieran Millan, who was chosen 124th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft.
The former Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) goalie posted a 20-14-1 record with a .923 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average as a senior last year, breaking his own BU record for saves in a season with 1,110. But that’s just scratching the surface of his accomplishments in the NCAA, as he also set school records for wins (81), saves (3,768) and games played by a goaltender with 138.
And who could forget the memorable Hockey East quarterfinals game against New Hampshire, where he stopped a career-high 68 shots in a double-overtime, series-clinching win.
Now Kieran is ready to graduate to the pro ranks, as he’ll fight with three other goalies (Calvin Pickard, Sami Aittokallio and NCAA counterpart Kent Patterson) for a job on the Lake Erie Monsters squad.
His new mask, which was painted by our good friend Sylvie Marsolais from Sylabrush, proves he means business.
“Kieran wanted to stay with something similar to last year’s BU mask,” Marsolais said. “He wanted to keep the split line on the forehead, but wanted the separated lines to be much thinner, with a mountain design and paws inside it. He also asked for a Yeti-themed mask, but one that included the Avalanche logo and their secondary footprint logo, too.”
The white base to this mask gives the whole design a clean look, while the Avalanche logo is prominently displayed on both sides. White obviously meshes well with an Avalanche theme, and we especially like the Yeti’s shading, and powder-blue color.
“Kieran likes symmetrical designs, so I came up with a mix of his pads design and the Avalanche logo for both sides of the mask, and then I decided to put the Yeti just above that. We finished things off by putting the Yeti footprint on the chin.”
For those wondering what Sylvie meant by “a mix” of his pads design, be sure to check out the custom graphic from his Brian’s pads in our PadsFactory.
Like most goalies these days, the backplate is a perfect place to display personal mementos, or memorandums of important people, places, and things. Millan added a real nice touch to his first pro mask by remembering the lives lost in the theater shooting tragedy back on August 20 in Aurora, Colorado.
“Kieran asked for something similar to his BU backplate, with his family name on the bottom, a Canadian maple leaf, and the BU paws. But we also added the official ribbon for the theater tragedy that happened last month, and some lines of the Colorado mountains to give some more details and colors on the backplate.”
Complete with white straps, white snaps, and a chrome cat-eye cage, this mask will certainly stick out when Millan hits the ice for Lake Erie’s training camp early next month! We wish Kieran the best of luck, and we also want to thank Sylvie for giving us exclusive photos of his new Avalanche-themed mask.
Nic
Looks great!!