Bob essensa
Team: Winnipeg Jets
Year: 1993-94
Mask Maker: Greg Harrison
Painter: Greg Harrison
Acquired From: Another collector
Photomatched: Yes
Description: Bob Essensa wore this mask during his last season with the Winnipeg Jets (1993-94 Season.) Essensa was traded to the Detroit Red Wings during the season and did not have a spare mask. While in Detroit, Essensa painted and taped over parts of the mask to match the Red team colors. Greg Harrison has since removed the red paint to reveal the more famous Winnipeg Jets design beneath. This mask was created by Greg Harrison late in Essensa’s time with the Jets. This is the last masks worn during the Jets first stint in Winnipeg.
Here is a description of the design of the mask from Greg Harrison:
This mask I made as my tribute to Canada's lost military aircraft industry. The silhouettes on the mask are of the AVRO ARROW and fighter jet made in Canada from Oct 4, 1957 to Feb 13, 1959. 20 yrs advanced in technology, it was canceled by the Conservative govt in 1959 and all the planes ordered destroyed. I did the mask with side view, 3/4 view, and over top view of the plane. The jets had a designation of RL 201-206 being the last one produced. On the backplate I had RL 207 indicating the next ARROW that would have come off the line. Bob had no idea about the plane so I gave him a history lesson on it as I said he would be bombarded with questions about it once he wore it, and he was!
