Masterpieces On Ice: Canada's National Junior Team Goaltenders Presented with 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship Masks

Winners of Boston Pizza and Bauer Design-A-Mask contest, final designs unveiled

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's National Junior Team goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood, Mason McDonald, and Samuel Montembeault are bringing original Canadian works of art to Finland when they board their flights on Monday, thanks to two young artists whose creations will don the goaltenders' masks at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2015 to Jan. 5, 2016 in Helsinki, Finland.

Boston Pizza and Bauer Design-A-Mask contest-winners Jessica Tran (17) of Calgary, and Aiden Scott Rose (12) of Langford, B.C., travelled to Toronto to join artist David Arrigo and present their creations to the three goaltenders Monday morning.

"We're excited to once again partner with Hockey Canada and Bauer to give young Canadians the opportunity to get into the game on a global level and show their creativity through the Design-A-Mask program. This truly unique contest puts the winners' helmet designs in the net throughout the tournament," said Steve Silverstone, executive vice-president of marketing, Boston Pizza International. "Boston Pizza is the go-to place for Canadians to connect over the two things they love most: food and watching Team Canada battle for gold."

Canadian kids were invited to submit their designs by downloading the contest forms from the Hockey Canada website, or picking them up at a Boston Pizza location. Design-A-Mask is a unique opportunity that gives kids a chance to be part of the IIHF World Junior Championship in a meaningful way, and gives the goaltenders a piece of Canadiana regardless of where the tournament takes place.

"Year after year, it is a thrill for the goaltenders of Team Canada to wear the designs of our fans," said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations/national teams for Hockey Canada. "Through Design-A-Mask, Boston Pizza and Bauer give young Canadians a chance to be a part of the team that proudly wears the Maple Leaf and represents our country on the world stage. It's an important reminder for our players of the thousands of fans who are cheering us on in the arena, and back home."

Tran and Rose's designs were painted onto the Bauer masks by artist David Arrigo, who made two versions of Tran's design on the third mask. Tran and Rose will receive their own duplicate masks, as well a trip for two to a game at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship when it returns to Canadian ice next year, along with a $50 Boston Pizza gift card and a Team Canada jersey.

Team Canada opens the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland, against the United States on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Hockey Canada's official broadcasters, TSN and RDS, are scheduled to broadcast all tournament games, including three pre-tournament games Dec. 19, 20, and 23; check local listings for details.

For more information on Canada's National Junior Team, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, and Twitter.

About Boston Pizza

Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada's No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 370 restaurants in Canada and more than $1 billion in sales. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great, and in 2014, the Boston Pizza Foundation created Future Prospects to help support organizations that mentor kids to reach their full potential. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C., and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec. For more information, visit www.bostonpizza.com.

Editors' note: b-roll footage and photos available; please contact Lisa Dornan for access – [e-mail] or 403-510-7046.

SOURCE Boston Pizza International Inc.

Image with caption: "Boston Pizza and Bauer Design-A-Mask contest-winners Aiden Scott Rose of Langford, BC and Jessica Tran of Calgary, AB show off their winning designs in Toronto on December 14, 2015. The masks will be worn by Canada’s National Junior Team goaltenders at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. (CNW Group/Boston Pizza International Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151214_C7546_PHOTO_EN_563783.jpg

For further information: Lisa Dornan, Director, Communications, Hockey Canada, [phone], [e-mail]; Kelly Bayley, Senior Consultant, High Road on behalf of Boston Pizza, [phone], [e-mail]