Linus Ullmark grew up playing Nintendo. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

The story behind Sabres goalie prospect Linus Ullmark’s Bowser mask

BUFFALO – Despite being born in 1993, Sabres goalie prospect Linus Ullmark grew up playing Nintendo and Super Nintendo, classic video game consoles from an earlier generation.

“I’ve been playing that kind of stuff for a way, way long time, since I was like 5,” Ullmark said last week following a development camp session inside the First Niagara Center.

Ullmark likes the “Super Mario Bros.” games so much he asked his mask designer, David Gunnarsson, to paint characters from the game – Mario, Luigi and their nemesis, Bowser – on his MODO mask for the upcoming Swedish Hockey League season.

Gunnarsson sent back sketches with just Bowser, a reptile-like creature, on the mask.

“I just loved the idea right away,” Ullmark said.

Ullmark sported the mask, which matches MODO’s color scheme, during last week’s development camp.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *