Niklas Backstrom always says he doesn't know how Josh Harding comes up with his creative ideas for masks. Now he's going to allow another to design his mask in a wild.com contest. Here's the release:

NIKLAS BACKSTROM WANTS YOUNG FANS TO DESIGN HIS GOALIE MASK FOR 2010-11 NHL SEASON
WILD.COM LAUNCHES CONTEST FOR FANS 18 AND UNDER TO SUBMIT DESIGNS

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild announced today a contest on www.wild.com that allows fans 18 and under the opportunity to design a goalie mask that Niklas Backstrom will wear during the 2010-11 season.

Backstrom is asking for help from his youngest fans to design a goalie mask he will wear next season. To submit a design, Wild fans aged 18 and under living in the continental United States can click on this link Backstrom Goalie Mask Contest to download a PDF and create their goalie mask design. Fans can then submit their design by clicking HERE. All entrants must have their parents or guardians read and agree to the official rules posted on www.wild.com prior to submitting their artwork.

Submissions are due by July 15 and will be narrowed down to five finalists, which will be sent to Backstrom, who will pick his favorite entry. The winner will be announced August 2.

The contest winner will have the opportunity to sit in the workshop of goalie mask designer Todd Miska, who will take the design and create Backstrom's mask with the winner's assistance. The contest winner will also receive an autographed replica mask with the exact same paint job, and present the completed mask to Backstrom during the Wild's training camp in September. The four other finalists will have their submissions autographed by Backstrom, and sent to them.

Also, here's the 2011 NHL Entry Draft logo