A new pal sketched up a fresh netminder's mask for Logan Thompson.
William Martel, a youngster contending with an uncommon brain tumor, dreamed up an eye-catching, Capitals-themed look for the mask worn during his radiation sessions. He modeled it on Thompson's Screaming Eagle helmet, reproducing down one side the identical group of six players from the team — their faces, jersey numbers, and surnames — and stamping Screagle logos across the crown.
After spotting the artwork, Thompson dropped in on Martel unannounced not long ago, putting together a joint drawing session using a couple of blank mask templates.
View this post on Instagram
Thompson also handed Martel an autographed stick, nearly as tall as the boy, joking that he'd grow into it down the line. Martel shot back that he was sure he would.
The pair passed a while in conversation and at work with markers once they'd settled on the color schemes for the masks. For his, Martel opted for a red-and-blue palette accented with bits of yellow. Thompson, in turn, appeared to borrow inspiration after the boy mentioned that 43 was the number he liked best.
On hearing 43, Thompson laughed and went along with it, plainly picturing his close friend Tom Wilson.
The Wilson number made for a fitting touch, since his puffed-up face is already painted on the rear of Thompson's mask. After getting a chuckle out of the moment, Thompson honored his tightest friend and favorite target for pranks by penciling the digit onto the chin portion of his own design.
Commenting beneath the team's post, Martel's mother expressed thanks for the visit, writing that it eased his treatment a little and that he had smiled while waiting for his appointment for the very first time that day.