In 1968, one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world was built.

Madison Square Garden reached the age of 50 on February 11th, 2018, and one of New York’s most recognizable athletes celebrated the milestone with a custom piece of art in the Flyers 7-4 win over the Rangers

Henrik Lundqvist unveiled a special tribute mask season honouring all the legendary moments that have transpired at The Garden over the years.

 

This mask is a tribute to Madison Square Garden’s anniversary of 50 years, 1968-2018⭐️🏙. Henrik Lundqvist used the mask on the actual day of the anniversary last week. Henrik and I started to brainstorm this design last summer🧠☀️. We came up with a plan how to create the design in a subtle vintage style, in old school sketchy style✍🏻 mixed with classic airbrush. The Statue Of Liberty🗽 on the top ties the design together and makes the design into a 100% NYR design👊🏻. In the white areas on the sides I sketched drawings representing big moments in the history of the Madison Square Garden... I love to create these Storyteller designs📕, and this painting was a dream to work with. ❤️🙏🏻 @hank30nyr @nyrangers @nhl #DaveArt #DaveArtTheCradleOfCreativity #DaveArtTheStoryteller #nhl

A post shared by David Gunnarsson (@daveart) on

 

Can you spot the magic moments from the Madison Square Garden’s history? This mask is a tribute to Madison Square Garden’s anniversary of 50 years, 1968-2018⭐️🏙. Henrik Lundqvist used the mask on the actual day of the anniversary last week. Henrik and I started to brainstorm this design last summer🧠☀️. We came up with a plan how to create the design in a subtle vintage style, in old school sketchy style✍🏻 mixed with classic airbrush. The Statue Of Liberty🗽 on the top ties the design together and makes the design into a 100% NYR design👊🏻. In the white areas on the sides I sketched drawings representing big moments in the history of the Madison Square Garden... I love to create these Storyteller designs📕, and this painting was a dream to work with. ❤️🙏🏻 @hank30nyr @nyrangers @nhl #DaveArt #DaveArtTheCradleOfCreativity #DaveArtTheStoryteller #nhl

A post shared by David Gunnarsson (@daveart) on

As noted, the vintage mask features some of the highlights over the years at MSG such as Muhammed Ali’s ‘Fight of the Century’ against Joe Frazier, Elivs Presley’s 1972 concert, Mark Messier lifting the Stanley Cup, Wayne Gretzky’s final game in the NHL. The Statue of Liberty is also present, along with the No. 50.

The mask was designed by Swedish mask designer David Gunnarsson, who works with more than half of the entire league’s goalie masks, as well as numerous clients playing in the minors and over in Europe.

 

(h/t Dave Art)