- The Minnesota Wild are approaching their Native American Heritage Night
- NHL bosses stop Marc-Andre Fleury from wearing a personalized mask
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Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was told by the NHL that he would not be allowed to wear a custom-made mask for the team’s Native American Heritage Evening, his agent said Friday.
Allan Walsh confirmed that his client was told he was not allowed to wear the mask even to warm up. The league prohibits players from wearing special jerseys, masks, decals, stickers or tape on theme nights.
The league initially banned players from using rainbow-colored tape on Pride nights, but reversed that decision after receiving backlash from across the hockey community.
Teams will not be allowed to dress players in themed jerseys for warmups this season after a handful of players decided to opt out of Pride Night warmups wearing special jerseys last season.
While the Wild celebrated Native American Heritage Night on Friday against Colorado, Fleury wanted to honor his wife Veronique, an indigenous woman, with a specially designed mask.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was told he could not honor his wife with his mask
Fleury had hoped to wear a custom-made mask for Native American Heritage Night in Wild
Fleury is pictured with his wife Veronique (right), with whom he has three children
The NHL recently lifted a ban on rainbow-colored pride tape after intense backlash
Fleury was threatened with a “significant fine” by the league if he did not follow its orders
Walsh said Fleury offered to pay whatever fine he would receive and the NHL threatened to impose an “additional significant fine” on the organization.
It was not clear what those fines would be. The Wild had no comment, while a message sent to the NHL regarding the situation was not immediately returned.
Fleury, 38, is a three-time Stanley Cup winner and won the Vezina Trophy in 2021 as the league’s best goaltender.