Minnesota Wild goalie wears Native American mask despite threats of punishment from NHL

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Marc-Andre Fleury was notified that he would be punished if he were to wear a Native American-themed mask during warm-ups on Friday night. He wore it anyway.

Fleury's Minnesota Wild held a Native American Heritage Night on Friday evening, so the goalie had a mask designed by a member of the Prairie Island Indian Community to honor his wife's background.

However, over the summer, the NHL banned themed equipment from the ice during warm-ups.

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Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) wears his Native American Heritage mask in warmups before a game against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center.  (Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports)

The NHL announced in June that in order to avoid any "distraction," themed jerseys and equipment will no longer be worn on the ice. The stance stemmed from when several players and some teams (including the Wild) opted not to wear LGBTQ-themed jerseys during warm-ups on their respective Pride Nights.

However, commissioner Gary Bettman said the ban would be in effect for all theme nights.

Fleury did not appear in the game and did not speak to reporters afterward. The Wild and NHL did not respond to requests for comment.

According to Fleury's agent, he decided to do an about-face with wearing the helmet when the league threatened him with stiffer penalties.

Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) wears his Native American Heritage mask in warm-ups before a game against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center.  (Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports)

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