UTICA — The Utica Comets' goaltenders have made some noticeable changes.

Rookie prospect Thatcher Demko and veteran Richard Bachman each unveiled new helmets recently that feature impressive designs while still protecting them from pucks as they whizz near their heads.

They are fun changes for the goaltending duo, designed to show off their personalities.

But is it important for goalies to have a unique design on their gear?

“I think that’s all personal preference,” said Bachman, who said he keeps his masks and plans to display them in his home someday. “It just depends on the guy. … Some tell stories on their mask and it’s super-detailed. … Like for me, I try to flip-flop and put certain themes on masks and then keep some very simple.”

This time, Bachman went with a more classic feel. On the front of his mask is a V for the Vancouver Canucks in blue, white and green. That connects to a “big and bold” lumberjack version of Johnny Canuck, a popular Canadian cartoon superhero. On the back plate, which is blue, is a horseshoe (“For good luck. My wife wanted me to put it on there about seven years ago,” Bachman offered) and the initials of his young son, Knox, and Bachman’s late brother.

“This (mask), I was having trouble with what I wanted to do,” said 29-year-old Bachman, who returned to the lineup Dec. 30 after missing extended time because of a lower-body injury suffered in November. “The longer you play the more masks you have to come up with. … But this one, I printed out a couple templates because I wanted something old-school. I got (Knox’s) crayons out and he was coloring one and I was coloring the other. I was scrolling around the Internet looking at different logos. I started sketching it up and really liked it.”

Demko’s mask keeps it classy.

The front of his mask has a fairly simple design, with a prominent Canucks orca logo in blue and white on a green background. The back of Demko’s features a nod to the 21-year-old’s sense of humor. Featured prominently on the back plate is the title character from the movie “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” The back also pays tribute to his alma mater, Boston College, and his late friend, Ian Jenkins.

“Honestly, I just wanted to do something different,” Demko said. “You can see it from far away and you know exactly what it is. It was kind of fun to switch it up a little bit.”

So, why the legendary fictional San Diego news anchor portrayed by comedian Will Ferrell? A simple reason: Demko is a San Diego native.

“The Channel 4 News team is one of the greatest ever,” Demko said with a big smile. “I’ve seen (the movie) probably 200 times. I can quote it from the beginning. So, I just thought it would be kind of fun to throw up Mr. Burgundy (on the mask).”

It is not the first time that Demko has had fictional characters on a helmet. His previous helmet this season featured characters Ricky, Bubbles and Julian from the Canadian mockumentary television series “Trailer Park Boys.” He said the actor who plays Bubbles, Mike Smith, tweeted to Demko after the mask was released.

“So, that was like a dream come true,” Demko said with a laugh, while acknowledging the show might not be suitable for younger viewers. “But, I think they’re funny and they’re big hockey fans.”

Demko and Bachman each worked with popular Swedish goalie mask artist Dave Gunnarsson of DaveArt Studios for their new designs. This is the first season that Demko has worked with Gunnarsson. Bachman has been working with the talented designer for at least five years and has created between eight and 10 masks with him.

“It was a very exciting project to paint and create this piece,” Gunnarsson wrote on his Facebook page this week in a post showcasing Demko’s mask.

Gunnarsson has worked with countless goalies to create stunning masks. Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop has glow-in-the-dark Lightning bolts on his helmet, Bachman said.

“Each one (Gunnarsson) adds a new effect and it really brings something special to it,” Bachman said. “It’s fun to see what he’s got and comes up with these creations."

Bachman also worked with Gunnarsson to create the Stephen King-inspired mask with scenes from the movie “The Shining” he wore toward the end of last season with the Comets. Richard Bachman is also a pen name King used. For now, that mask has been retired.

“We’ll see how I’m playing,” Bachman said of the mask. “Sometimes if you need to get out of a little streak or something, I might change it up and pop it back on. But, I really liked that mask. So I could potentially wear that one again.”

Demko and Bachman both said they enjoy the reaction they get from fans at games and on social media.

“It’s fun to see the reaction of people on social media,” Demko said. “I feel like maybe that’s the reason I do it. It’s fun to kind of interact with people and hopefully get some people some good laughs."