Gifts of Glory

Its that time of year. The time where goalie mask lovers hope to get a mask related gift but never do. I'm here for you. Even if the gift is for yourself.
So without further ado, I give you the top six Mask Gifts for the Christmas Season.

6. Team Mini Mask
Plain? Yes, but these masks are perfect for autographs and to put on display.
You can find team selection here.

5. Evolution of the Mask
I cam across these gems on the NHL Store. You can get them framed or unframed

4. Upper Deck Mini Mask
In 2002 the card company Upper Deck inserted Miniature Replica masks into certain boxes of hockey cards. Now, you can find them on eBay.

3. McFarlanes Figure
I've talked about these before, and nothing has changed since. Find out more here.

2. Saving Face
This is number one on my list, and if I don't get it, I'll be getting it myself. If you haven't heard about it, Saving Face is a book about goalie masks. Must Read.

1. Replica Mask from Masks From the Past
Wow! It might not fit everyone's price range, but I can dream can't I? The best gift ever can be found right here.

10 Best Masks of the Year: 3

3. Mathieu Garon

Ah fire and ice, blue and red. Even though it's technically orange oil, you get the idea. Who would have thought to put ice on a Oilers mask? Come to think of it, why name a team that plays on ice Oilers in the first place? Anywho, awesome mask. The one downside: the RBK logo. But, what can ya do?

10 Best Masks of 07-08
10: Hannu Toivonen
9: Jocelyn Thibault
8. Marc Denis
7. Alex Auld
6. Jose Theodore
5. Marty Turco
4. Vesa Toskala

Mike Smith Likes the New Mask Smell

Tampa goalie Mike Smith must have a thing for donning a new mask. After his "Saw" mask, he has made comments about having a new mask every month. Overall, it seems to gimmicky.

From Tampa Bay.com:

MASKED MAN: G Mike Smith has his third new mask of the season, and said he might wear a new one every month. He said he wore a Christmas mask last year and likely will do so again.

"I think it's a great idea for goalies around the league," he said. "The artists are willing to do it and goaltenders have fun with different masks."

The current mask commemorates Veterans' Day and Canada's Remembrance Day. Both are celebrated Tuesday. The United States flag and army boots are on one side. The Canadian flag is on the other. All 30 NHL logos adorn the brow.

Smith said he is unsure if he will give the mask to charity as he did the Saw V mask he wore the past few weeks.

Cam Ward...Again

Cam Ward wore a new mask again, this time mimicking the move "Cape Fear". I've never seen this movie, I have to imagine that stare is important.
It seems that the days of a goalie being known for one mask are slowing fading. Brodeurs, and Belfours are now not too common.

Pics of the new mask are here, here, and here.

10 Best Masks of the Year: 4

4. Vesa Toskala

Yes, I know it isn't all that original, and it has nothing to do with Maple Leafs. However, it is very Vesa (if that makes sense). The story goes that he saw the skull in a tattoo shop in Finland. He has worn the same basic design since '99, both in Sweeden and in San Jose. The only difference is the color.
Another reason this mask is number4 is that it just looks awesome when paired with the jersey. Look at this. I have no clue why, but it just looks amazing.

10 Best Masks of 07-08
10: Hannu Toivonen
9: Jocelyn Thibault
8. Marc Denis
7. Alex Auld
6. Jose Theodore
5. Marty Turco

Quick Note: 10 Best Masks of 07-08

I've gotten about 2 comments on where masks 4-1 of last years best masks list are. Well, I never posted them. Yeah, every now and then I'll take a few weeks off until I enjoy posting again. And since 2 readers is probably half of my readership. I will not disappoint. Expect number 4 to be posted later today, and the rest of the top ten later in the week. Reminder: This is last years top ten, not this years.

On Election Tuesday...

I bring to you via Puck Daddy, the Sarah Palin hockey mask.

SI Link

Awesome 51 page long Gallery on SI.com on masks. Check it out now!

Link: Hockey in Art

Plenty of sites are now blurring the line between sports and art. See Uni Watch, Icethetics, and even here. Well we can add another site up: Hockey in Art. It's simply drawn, painted, and sketched hockey pictures. Look at the detail in Ryan Millers mask on the left! Really good site to just waste a couple minutes looking around.

Scarier Than a Puck at 98 mph

This is probably old news to most of you, but in case you haven't heard, Olaf Kolzig and Mike Smith have been promoting SAW V on their masks. You can see Smith's here, and Kolzig's here. Personally I like Kolzig's better, simply because I know what's on it. However, promoting a movie on a mask; not a good idea. I better not see a Beverly Hills Chihuahua mask anytime soon.


Icethetics Link
Awful Announcing Link

Nice Season Mask Preview

From the genius behind Icethetics (formerly NHL Tournament of Logos), comes his mask preview for the season. Take a look here.

The Newest Blank Canvas to Create On...

Masks are now old news*. The newest goaltender equipment/art statement is the stick. Two NHL goalies have seen using sticks with some sort of design on it. Chris Mason went with his number (50) and his teams logo, while Patrick Lalime of the Sens took it another route with Marvin the Martian, the same lovable alien that is on his mask. What they might be using is a product called Blade Tape (official site)
I think this a great way to extend the art on the mask, to the stick, as long as it doesn't get carried away, like putting stuff on the pads.

Notes:
Tobias Stephan seems to prefer Marty Turco's white mask, since he himself has one.
Jose Theodore switched teams, but hasn't gotten around to changing his mask.
Mathieu Garon has a incredible mask to go along with the Oilers new 3rd Jersey/throwback, I believe it is modeled after Grant Fuhr's

News From the Garden State

Big mask news from Jersey today. In case you haven't heard already, Martin Brodeur has a new mask. No earth shattering changes, just switches up his old "J" for his personal logo "MB30". However, it is the first change to his mask since 1993 (Short sideshow, displaying all 3 masks), making it one of the more recognizable masks in the league.

As you can see, the sides are basically the same, and the head logo still has the devilish tail. I haven't seen the back of the new design but I assume that they kept all of his mementos.

There's a nice article explaining all that went into it, and another picshow on the redesign.



UPDATE: Here is how it looks in a game

Luongo's Mask Tweaked

Roberto Luongo was named captain of the Vancouver Canucks recently, and since goalies are not allowed to wear the "C" on their jerseys (stupid, right?), Luongo is wearing the C on his mask. Creative? I think so.

2008-09 Pre-Season Notes

Quick Notes from the little hockey played so far.

Toronto goalie Curtis Joseph had "Leaf Fans" on his nameplate...A couple masks I hadn't seen before of Olie Kolzig, Matt Zaba, the always awesome Alex Auld, Jeff Zactkoff, and a blank for Jonathan Quick...

One of the coolest contests in recent memory took place over the summer. Canuck, Curtis Sanford, who as you may remember, had the goofy "old man" mask, asked for submissions for a new mask design. Over 300 submissions later, Sanford has a new mask. Here is the winning design, and here is the finished, painted, mask. You can see most of the submitted masks here. I recommend you do, there are several excellent ones, and even more laughable ones.

10 Best Masks of the Year: 5

5. Marty Turco

Yes, the dragon is a little corny. And yes, the black version is much more popular. But there is something about the white. Perhaps it brings back the plain white days of earlier.

10 Best Masks of 07-08
10: Hannu Toivonen
9: Jocelyn Thibault
8. Marc Denis
7. Alex Auld
6. Jose Theodore

10 Best Masks of the Year: 6

6. Jose Theodore

Gargoyles are cool, but the little things make this mask awesome. There's the icicles hanging from the protectors of the castle, his number subtly on display (LX= 60 in Roman numerals), and of course the Bigfoot logo. All in all a above average mask, and I must say, looks even better with the jersey.

10 Best Masks of 07-08
10: Hannu Toivonen
9: Jocelyn Thibault
8. Marc Denis
7. Alex Auld

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Watch some of the Stanley Cup Finals, eat some, and remember those who gave their life for our freedom.

10 Best Masks of the Year: 7

7. Alex Auld

Even though it may seem like there's alot going on, all this mask has is the two logos, stripes, and some letters (BB for Boston Bruins, and AA for Alex Auld) on the side. Of course it is a close match of former Bruin goaltender Andy Moog.
The lack of any dragons, fire, or baby pictures, is the reason it made the top 10.

10 Best Masks of 07-08
10: Hannu Toivonen
9: Jocelyn Thibault
8. Marc Denis

2008 IIHF World Hockey Championships Part II

Denmark

Patrick Galbraith: What can I say? Blank is boring.

Peter Hirsch: Definitely one of the more interesting designs. Includes Denmark's name, flag and colors.

Simon Nielsen: No photo


Finland

Petri Vehanen: From what I can see, a giant advertisement on your forehead does not make for a good looking mask

Niklas Backstrom: Like all of the other NHLers, he's wearing his teams (Minnesota) mask.

Karri Ramo: No Photo (But I assume he wore this)


France

Fabrice Lhenry: Blank blue, except for the logo and number on front.

Cristobal Huet:Same Capitals mask.

Eddy Ferhi: Did not play


Germany

Robert Muller: Another mask with the nation's colors (the best kind)

Dimitrij Kotschnew: Almost looks like the New Mexico Lobo

Dimitrij Patzold: Possibly his San Jose Sharks mask?

Luongo Explains His Throwback Mask

10 Best Masks of the Year: 8

8. Marc Denis
I've already professed my love for the blue gator. So there's not much else, except for side, which features the historical paper mill from his hometown of Chicoutimi, Quebec. The other side is supposedly a pirate ship, but I have no visual.

10 Best Masks of 07-08
10: Hannu Toivonen
9: Jocelyn Thibault

10 Best Masks of the Year: 9

9. Jocelyn ThibaultFor some reason, I think yellow and blue looks awesome on a mask. It isn't cluttered, but has just two main parts: The buffaloes and the swords. What is the team's name? Buffalo Sabres. Somewhat simple, with a touch of personalization. Pretty good to me.


10 Best Masks of 07-08
10: Hannu Toivonen

10 Best Masks of the Year: 10

Not to outdo NHLTOL, Here are my picks for the best masks of the year, starting with number 10.

10
Hannu Toivonen

This is definitely one of the more creative masks out there. Are you one of the many who wish goalies still wore the "Jason" style masks? Hannu brought it back, but still kept his protection. Ed Staniowski inspired the mask Toivonen now dons. Creative, and not a single country music star in sight.

2008 IIHF World Hockey Championships Part I

I have no idea who's who in International hockey, but we speak the language of masks. Unfortunately, I haven't found any great close ups on the goalies themselves. But here is alittle rundown of all 16 teams in the field and their goalies.

Canada
You have probably heard of all their goalies, and seen their masks.

Cam Ward: Wearing the "Blackbeard" Hurricanes mask, or something similar.

Pascal LeClaire: "Rebel" Blue Jackets mask

Mathieu Garon: Hasn't played yet, but I expect he's wearing his current Oilers mask


Belarus
Not alot of action here

Stepan Goryachevskikh: No picture available

Vitali Koval: Plain white

Dzmitry Milchakou: Still has yet to play


Czech Republic

Milan Hnlilicka: One of the more interesting designs that is not in the NHL (anyone know where?) (Another shot here and here)

Marek Pinc: Too far away to see any detail.

Adam Svoboda: DNP

NHL ToL: Preliminary Round

These match ups decided who made it into the big dance of masks.
With my picks, on the left.
Marty Turco: White vs Black
Who Won: Black
My Pick: I have to go against the grain and pick white. Masks that use white are too rare these days. The only other one that uses white I can think of off hand is Roberto Luongo's throwback mask.




Karri Ramo: Brain? vs. Nightmare
Who won: Nightmare
My Pick: To be honest, I have never seen Nightmare Before Christmas, so I don't really care for that mask, but the brain(?) is just a stupid idea, Karri. Therefore I think the voters got it right.




Marc Denis vs Scott Clemmensen
Who won: Denis
My pick: I am so glad that Denis won this one. Not that Clemmensen's is horrible, or that Marc plays for my favorite team, it's because of the gator. If you live in Florida, you know there are crocs and gators all around. Everyone who plays for the Lightning (with exceptions), just puts some bolts on their mask. Having a team colored gator makes him my pick.


Jimmy Howard vs Tuuka Rask
Who won: Rask
My pick: Howard. Once again I go with breaking the trend. Bruins goalie: bear mouth: not original. Red Wings goalie: octopus: different.

You Too Can Hold Gary Cheever in Your Hand!

Does anyone remember those Starting Lineup figurines? My personal one was Darren Puppa. The combination of a weird name, cool mask, and his position, made him my personal favorite (next was Patrick Roy). Anyway, those figures always were conservative with the masks. Either they were blank or they had a little team logo on them.

What I'm trying to get to is this. Imagine those on steroids, and you get McFarlanes. Most of you probably have seen these but if you haven't you must. Great blend of current and past masks including:

Grant Fuhr (Maple Leafs, Oilers)
Bernie Parent
Ryan Miller
Jose Theodore (With Winter Classic Beanie)

And my personal three favorites:
Tony Esposito (Canadians, Blackhawks)
Gary Cheevers

Many of these are available on eBay, or any local toy store.

Sunday Random Mask, Guess Who

Answer: It is indeed Sean Burke. Get it? Shamu, whalers? Shamu is a whale.

Sunday Random Mask, Guess Who

Answer: Garth Snow

Hey! That Was My Idea!

The genius behind NHL Tournament of Logos and Tournament of Hockey Logos is at it again. But this time, I am especially excited for next tourney. After voting for the best NHL main, secondary, third, vintage, and worst logos, along with the best of the AHL and ECHL, he will attempt to take on the best mask in the NHL. Right now, the readers are attempting to narrow the competition down some. But when it starts expect (but don't hold me too it), my thoughts on each matchup, while giving my own top ten list (all-time). Lets get it on!

Oh, and I, in no way am mad at NHLTOL. I am glad that someone put this idea up, instead of being lazy.

Change of Pace (and Jersey)

I know its been a couple weeks, but better late than never. Anyway, the trade deadline is past and any mask lover knows that this is the time where you get to see a completely mismatched goalie. You see his jersey in one color and his pads and mask in another. Three goalies were traded at the deadline: Mike Smith (Dallas to Tampa), Johan Holmqvist (Tampa to Dallas), and Christobal Huet (Montreal to Washington).

Because it takes time to design and create a mask, it cannot simply be made in time for the next game. There are three choices when your are a goalie and you get traded.

1.) Wear the same mask.
This is what Smith did, with his Stars Mask. The result was strange.

1A) Spruce up your current mask with some stickers!
Huet went this route, turning this, into this (if you look closely, you can see a Caps sticker over the Habs logo on the chin). This change of jersey had no strange appearance. In fact they actually matched the jersey.

2.) Go Blank
This might be the smartest move. Why risk one of your teammates scoring on you (ahem, Nick Backstrom) because they see another logo. Martin Gerber went blank earlier this year.

2A) Go Blank....With Stickers!
Slightly more creative than the previous, but still, it is a blank helmet. Exhibit A: Johan Holmqvist: Before, After

Bad, Bad Idea

I know this is pretty old, but it does deal with the goalie position in hockey.
From TheStar.com:

Now a group of influential NHL players that includes New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Dallas's Marty Turco, Detroit's Dominik Hasek and Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson want the league's – and inevitably the Leafs' – uniforms altered again. In what would be a radical overhaul that might incite hockey traditionalists but surely gratify some of the league's cash-strapped owners, several NHL goalies have asked the league and its players union to consider starting a so-called Goaltender's Club. Revenue-generating initiatives for the club could include placing a corporate logo on the jerseys of the league's 60-odd goalies.

Are they serious? Are the goalies of the NHL going to start looking like this, this, or this? I hope this is just an early April Fools Day joke, and when next season rolls along, no one will remember a thing.

TheStar.com
NHL Tournament of Logos

When the Mask Goes Wrong

Sharks goalie, Evgeni Nabokov, now knows the importance of his mask. Yes, besides being a canvas for their artwork, it also protects them from pieces of vulcanized rubber coming at them at 90+ mph.

Michael Scott has some goalie in Him

From the Dana Carvey Show (1996) Episode Two, comes this clip featuring a less famous Steve Carell. I always wondered how goalies practice by themselves.

Also, the mask isn't that bad for the 90's.

Nashville Pred's Masks

From UniWatchBlog.com:

"Nice little video clip here that finds Predators goalies Chris Mason and Dan Ellis discussing their mask designs (as forwarded by Wade D. Harder)"

If you haven't checked out this site yet, do it now. Great daily content about the small things in sports uniforms, sometimes even goalie masks.

Wearing the Past on Your Mask

There are many personal items on a goaltenders mask. They can range from a loved one's initials or name, a favorite band, or most commonly a nickname.
But my favorite tributes are the ones that include the players from the past. Sometimes they are just honoring the team's greatest moments (Wade Dubielewicz), or players (Andrew Raycroft). Of course, there are some who chose their favorite players from childhood. Case in point: Jaroslav Halak, honoring Patrick Roy, and Mikael Tellqvist, with Thomas Steen and Bobby Hull. Tellqvist updated that mask, but switched the former players for Dale Howerchuck. Of course, some choose to narrow it down to the team that they play for, and the position they play, right Chris?

Player Spotlight: Cam Ward

Cam Ward's most famous mask was this, and it really has nothing to do with hockey or intimidating.
If you cant see the mask well, this is a short description: Some hurricanes, and a whole lot of Nickleback. That's right, the band Nickleback's likeness, is airbrushed all over Ward's mask. I personally don't find it all that great, especially compared to his other masks (one included a battleship and another a really long fingernailed pirate.)
Bonus points, though for continuity. Ward's back plate has always had the same details (mask #1, mask #2) , his cross tribute to Frank Ward (His grandfather), his number (30), and a mini Lord Stanley. A cool little detail on the Nickleback design backplate is that the CWC on the road sign, is actually his wifes initials.


More views are available here.