Chicago Blackhawks backup goalie Scott Darling has become a fan favorite in recent years thanks to his being a local product and his inspiring, winding road to the NHL.
The Lemont, Ill., native has often included Chicago-area iconography on his goalie mask, too. Michael Jordan, the Blues Brothers and even the Navy Pier Ferris wheel have made it onto some of his previous buckets. On his mask for the 2016-17 season, however, he is paying tribute to a fellow natives of Chicago's suburbs.
We're talking about Aurora's very own Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, hosts of the No. 1 cable access program in the history of man, Wayne's World.
Wayne and Garth, who were portrayed by Mike Myers and Dana Carvey on Saturday Night Live and two movies, adorn the right side of Darling's newest mask. Also included is a nod to "Stan Mikita's Donuts," the fictional donut shop named after the very real Blackhawks legend that shows up in the original Wayne's World movie.
Mikita's Donuts is one of a few Blackhawks references in the film, which also includes a street hockey session between Wayne and Garth that remains a favorite scene among hockey fans who can most definitely relate.
Darling's mask was designed by David Gunnarsson, who has built a pretty impressive roster of NHL netminders and has produced many of the most-talked about masks of the last few years. You can see more of his masks here.
