There are so many great images of Ken Dryden, it’s hard not to draw more. I loved the primal uniqueness of Dryden’s first mask that he wore early in his career with the Habs. His later red and blue swirl paint job mask was okay, but not nearly as cool!

Women’s hockey is getting it’s well deserved moment now, with the new Professional Women’s Hockey League, drawing big crowds and getting much needed media and broadcast coverage. I did a similar image a few years ago, with an aerial shot of a previous team in watercolour. This time it’s colour pencil on black paper, which gives it dramatic look. I like how it turned out, but unfortunately, it looks better in person as the photo mutes a lot of the intense colour.

Tribute to the late Dunc Wilson, who was best remembered playing for the Vancouver Canucks in the early 70’s, I depicted him as a member of the Leafs. Dunc was an unique goalie who often played on the edge and I respect him for that! A true original!

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Truly one of the great goalies of his generation and he was born in my hometown! I don’t think he received the respect and accolades he deserved, playing in era where he literally took it “old school” in the face. I depicted him later in his career when he wore a mask, but rest assured he was one of the most brave and gutsiest players to lace on the pads!

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I used to draw goalie masks even as far back as elementary school and one of my favourites was Gerry Cheevers, when he played for the Boston Bruins. His mask was distinctive and unique with stitch marks painted on his mask every time he got hit in the face. Yes, I drew him in pen and usually on the my notebooks, textbooks and desk. I spent a lot of my time in grade 4 washing desks!

Memories of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, when the surprising Florida Panthers clawed their way into the finals. They were led by Matthew “Chucky” Tkachuk, who had a monster playoffs that physically took it’s toll on his body enough to miss the final game (they lost!). Inspired by my love for a certain candy, this was a fun painting that is worth celebrating!

The Winnipeg Jets chance of success lay heavily on Connor Hellebuyck and their chances vastly improved this summer with the re-signing of the Vezina award winner. Any opportunity to paint or draw Helle is a pleasure, as the Jets hopes and dreams lie in Connors glove hand.

Jonathan Quick had an outstanding career backstopping the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014, as well as the Conn Smythe for outstanding player during the playoffs in 12’. Now with the Vegas Golden Knights, he hopes to repeat the magic in the 2023 playoffs.

Chicago Blackhawks captain, Jonathan Toews is one the greatest leaders to have played in the NHL. He led the Hawks to 3 Stanley Cups in the 2010’s and his legacy as a clutch performer will be sadly missed from the Hawks moving forward. Truly one of the best!

The beauty of his goalie mask is what drew me to this image. The excitement of the playoffs and the battle of Alberta is always inspiring! I enjoy working on canvas and I’m finally starting to get the hang of it.

The Winnipeg Jets, Connor Hellebuyck enjoying the moment during the outdoor game in 2019. There is a lot more colour in this painting than there probably was in the cold crowd, but it contrasts nicely with the falling snow. Probably my favourite piece, so far!

The colour pencil crayons are the water-soluble type that gives a watercolour effect when water is brushed on. Originally, the blue was a sketch guideline for a painting, but I liked the look so I went with it. It has a rougher, sketch quality, which is fine.

A tribute to the great Dave Dryden who passed away in October. A combination of pen and ink wash.

Possibly the best goalie to never play in the NHL. Vladislav Tretiak backstopped the USSR for the full Summit Series in 1972 versus Canada.

It was 50th anniversary of the 1972 Russia/Canada Summit Series this month. Ken Dryden was in goal for Canada’s win in the series deciding game 8. A spectacular showcase for the world’s best goalies.

I did a series of watercolours to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Canada/Russia Summit Series. Tony Esposito along with Ken Dryden backstopped Canada to victory. The watercolours are to remind me that I witnessed this historic life-changing event (watching on TV).

For the brief period Fleury spent on the Chicago Blackhawks, he left a positive impression. Flower continues to man the nets with the Minnesota Wild and he’ll be a first ballot hall of famer. This was a gift for the only other person that loves the Hawks as much as me, my daughter.

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Al Smith played on many NHL teams during his career. Most of them (up to that point) are painted on his mask as a tribute to the teams he played on. This is painted directly on wood, with a built-on frame.

“A scintillating save from Essensa”, was a phrase often heard during Bob Essensa’s time tending the goal for the Winnipeg Jets. He spent 5 impactful seasons with the Jets and played 12 seasons in the NHL. I wanted to captured Bob’s classic stance in this watercolour. Love those pads!

The “Bulin Wall”, as he was known in Winnipeg, was the Jets last goalie before moving to Phoenix, which means he was the first goalie for the upstart desert franchise. He went on to better and bigger things, including a Stanley Cup with the Lightning and many years in the Blackhawks organization. He’s still remembered fondly in Winnipeg (his first NHL team) with his spectacular play and character. I’m a big fan and loved capturing Khabby with watercolour and pen work!

During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, many of the athletes wore face masks to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, hockey players included. Canadian Women’s goalie, Emerance Maschmeyer wore the mask under her mask. Definitely an unique situation.

A fitting tribute to the great Guy LaFleur who passed away in April. The “Flower” was one of the all-time greats on the Habs during the 70’s and 80’s. A dynamic personality, on and off the ice who will be sadly missed by all hockey fans. I usually don’t draw portraits, but I’ll make an exception.

In the spring of the 2021, the Montreal Canadians were Stanley Cup finalists, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning, largely because of the incredible play of Hab’s goalie, Carey Price. Colour pencil is an effective way of capturing the details of Price’s mask and the toned paper allows the white to stand out.

Drawn on black paper to give it an eerie feel and so the colours can stand out better. Scene was after the Jets, Mark Scheifele laid out his infamous hit on the Canadians, Jake Evans during the 2021 NHL playoffs. Nikolaj Ehlers looks like some kind of peacemaker during the chaotic scene.

Portrait of Chicago Blackhawks goalie, Kevin Lankinen. Colour pencil drawn on colour paper, which allows the lighter colours (white) to really stand out. Especially effective for the wire cage mask.

I’ve always been a big fan of Women’s hockey, it’s fast and exciting and the Canadian team has always been top 2 in the world. The image is of the classic 2004 team and from goalie. Sami Jo Small’s memoir. This watercolour painting was challenging because of the amount of players, but it was a pleasure to work on and it was a relief it turned out not too badly.

I always enjoy painting an over-head view, especially in the goal crease area. I’m also very excited when the Hawks win!

An enlarged painting of Ken Dryden’s rookie card from the 1971-72 season. A cool looking card with a near-action shot of Dryden that I would love to own. Oh well, this is next best thing, right?

For many Canadian kids, the tabletop hockey game was a rite of passage. They were so crappily made, we went through many versions over the years. The most hilarious part of the game were the near identical players and the bare-face goalie stance. A subject matter that is instantly identifiable and so Canadiana that I felt I had to depict. Another painting I had lots of fun with!

My of my favourite mediums is scratchboard. You can get pretty good detail, but it’s tricky because you have to think in reverse. All the scratches are the highlight lines and depending on the amount of scratching, you can produce some good depth.

My love for Tony Esposito begins with his unique mask, that I will always remember him by. I drew this as a tribute to the Blackhawk great that we lost in August of 2021. A combination of pen and ink wash, it effectively separates the mask from the man. R.I.P. Tony O!

Pen & ink study of New York Rangers, Eddie Giacomin. Some old school hockey from the 70’s, classic mask!

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Gary Bromley worn one of the coolest masks and along with the Canucks “V” jersey this is extra scary. A majority of the mask is drawn with acrylic markers which can give you more detail than brush and paint. Perfect for Halloween!

Doug Favell was one of the first goalies to paint his mask. The colours usually matched the team he was playing for and they were always interesting. The complete piece is drawn with acrylic markers, so the colours and highlights really stand out. I really like this piece!

First attempt using acrylic markers. It gives it a graphic style and because the markers are so opaque, the colours stand out nicely. These could be very useful in the future, once I use them more.

Ken Dryden’s first NHL mask, the pretzel-style which looks like it didn’t offer up a lot of protection. He only wore it a couple seasons, but it is often what he is remembered with. An early painting when I started to paint the faces inside the mask.

Another commission piece, featuring the classic Stanley Cup winning Bobby Orr goal. Most of the painting is in grey (b & w) shade to emphasize the vintage look of the time period (1970) and highlight, Orr and the lone “misplaced” Leafs fan in the crowd (the recipient of the gift) with colour. I thought it turned out well, not so sure what the Leafs fan thought.

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This was my first commission piece for a Winnipeg Jets fan & Bruins fan. I’m always comfortable painting in watercolour and it was a good choice of medium for this piece. I’m open for custom commission pieces, especially hockey-related.

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A tribute to Chicago Blackhawks goalie, Corey Crawford who announced his surprise retirement on January 9, 2021. “Crow” was instrumental for backstopping the Hawks to two of their Stanley Cups in the 2010’s. The energy and excitement he brought to the United Center will not be the same.

Watercolour is a fantastic medium for hockey, it’s an opportunity to use a washy effect for the ice surface, which tends to be more of a blue tone than white (even outside the “blue paint” area). I tend to find the aerial view an interesting angle.

The first watercolour during the beginning of COVID and when I quit my day job to do art full-time. It had been a while since I painted a watercolour piece, so it was a re-learning experience. I’m pleased how it turned out, now I’m hooked!