Masks of Glory

Link: The Mask

2009-03-28T13:27:00.002-04:00

Incredible article posted on UniWatch a while back. If you haven t read it yet, do it now.

Two Words: Awesome Ness

2009-02-05T14:58:00.004-05:00

Sorry for three straight posts mentioning Carey Price, but this is just so amazing.
Habs Inside/Out has an article and several pictures of the Montreal goalie wearing some Jacques Plante era equipment, including a replica mask.

"But the mask … now this is something truly special.

Price cradles the replica of the fibreglass mask Canadiens legend Jacques Plante wore into a game for the first time on Nov. 1, 1959, forever changing the face of goaltending. He rolls it around in his hands, studying every bump and scratch, then wrestles it on, adjusting the elastic straps before rapping his knuckles against his cheek and wincing at the impact of just that."

The full article can be found here, and the full gallery of photos is here.

2009 All-Star Game

2009-02-05T14:18:00.003-05:00

Goalies at the All-Star Game get me mad. Perhaps it started when Khabibulin didn't recieve the MVP award a couple of years ago. But the real reason is how stupid they look. When you take your teams pads and masks, then mix in the all star jersey, the finished product usually looks like this.
This year seemed to be better then usual. Backstrom's pads had a little green in them, but for the most part, the colors were red. Tim Thomas looked the most out of place, and JS Gigure followed his lead, while Roberto Luongo was on the fence.
The "Best Dressed" has got to be either the hometown boy, Carey Price, or the Rangers Henrik Lundqvist. This is what an All-Star goalie looks like
My question is, why can't goalies have an all-star mask? If Mike Smith has a Saw mask, I don't see the problem in having one commemerating something more important.

The Coverboy

2009-02-05T14:13:00.004-05:00

I got home a couple of weeks ago, and was pleasantly surprised at the latest ESPN the mag in the mailbox. Carey Price in all of his glory. Hockey is rare enough on sports magazine covers, but hockey goalies are even rarer.
Anywho, ESPN had a video of the photo shoot (below), and included this beauty in the article.

Pittsburgh Steelguins

2009-01-22T11:53:00.003-05:00

In honor of the impending Super Bowl Sunday, I give you Marc-Andre Fleury:

Yeah, yellow doesn't really go with baby blue. Cool, nonetheless.

Interview with "Saving Face" Author

2009-01-07T14:14:00.003-05:00

Victoria Star has posted a really nice interview with the author of the book all about hockey masks, Gary Smith. Here's a small excerpt

""I started making (goalie) masks in grade nine and I was always attracted to masks. Of course growing up in Canada I played hockey and I was attracted to the position of goal because of the masks," he said. "In grade nine I started making them and have been ever since.""

Sounds like my childhood, besides the actually playing goalie, of course.
The whole interview can be found here.
And the Amazon.com listing for the book is here.

Winter Classic 2009

2009-01-04T15:51:00.004-05:00

Not a whole lot of mask news during this years Winter Classic. For the first time, no goalie wore a beanie on his mask like Jose Theodore and Ryan Miller did in previous years. The one lone exception was Cristobal Huet who honored the even very well by having the famous Wrigley Field sign on the front of the mask. Ty Conklin, who has been in every Classic donned his normal octopus mask. Personally, I was hoping he would go for a retro looking mask to go with the jerseys.

Gifts of Glory

2008-12-10T14:46:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-05T23:23:00.003-05:00

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

2008-11-19T14:49:00.004-05:00

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

2008-11-19T14:24:00.004-05:00

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

2008-11-19T14:12:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-19T14:06:00.003-05:00

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...

2008-11-04T15:05:00.002-05:00

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

SI Link

2008-10-28T13:52:00.002-04:00

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

Link: Hockey in Art

2008-10-28T11:48:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-28T11:35:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-21T20:15:00.002-04:00

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...

2008-10-15T13:12:00.004-04:00

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

2008-10-10T11:22:00.006-04:00

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

2008-10-07T14:07:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-23T10:51:00.003-04:00

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

2008-06-03T17:09:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-27T10:48:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-26T10:18:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-23T22:57:00.003-04:00

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

2008-05-23T09:53:00.004-04:00

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

2008-05-20T14:12:00.001-04:00

10 Best Masks of the Year: 8

2008-05-20T14:03:00.006-04:00

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

2008-05-19T14:17:00.004-04:00

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

2008-05-19T11:55:00.005-04:00

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

2008-05-16T11:00:00.003-04:00

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

2008-04-21T10:27:00.003-04:00

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!

2008-03-27T22:37:00.003-04:00

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

2008-03-23T08:37:00.003-04:00

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

Sunday Random Mask, Guess Who

2008-03-15T22:47:00.003-04:00

Answer: Garth Snow

Hey! That Was My Idea!

2008-03-15T22:12:00.005-04:00

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)

2008-03-15T21:45:00.005-04:00

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

2008-03-05T14:08:00.003-05:00

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

2008-02-21T22:18:00.008-05:00

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

2008-02-21T15:58:00.005-05:00

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

2008-02-07T11:31:00.001-05:00

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

2008-01-22T13:53:00.001-05:00

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

2008-01-10T13:25:00.001-05:00

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.

Winter Classic

2007-12-31T16:14:00.003-05:00

Time to break out the bubbly, throw some streamers, and play some outdoor hockey. The NHL's "Outdoor Classic" will be on New Years Day, and expect some nostalgia. Both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres will be wearing throwback jerseys.

But what about the goalies? Last time they played an outdoor game, the only significant detail involving goalies was Jose Theodore wearing a beanie above his mask. This year, Dany Sabourin, goalie for Pittsburgh will be wearing old-school brown equipment. He'll also wear this beauty. Look familiar? It's based on the recently discussed Michel Plasse mask.

The other Penguin goaltender, Ty Conklin, will also be wearing a retro Penguin mask, but no brown pads.

On the other side of the puck, the Sabres might display the beanie look, if practice means anything.

Team Spotlight: Pittsburgh Penguins

2007-12-06T10:21:00.001-05:00

The Penguins logo isn't very intimidating. So if "Happy Feet" and "March of the Penguins" aren't action suspense thrillers to you, how could a mask for a team called the penguins be scary?
Lets start with Ken Wregget, what penguins are famous? There's Tux, the Linux penguin. Or how about those penguins that enjoy Coke-a-Cola so much? Ken's head must have been in a comic book, cause he thought of this penguin. And that, eventually turned into this. Which morphed into this a couple years later. Ken Wregget also wore, a less intimidating, more beautiful, ice sculpture penguin, in this mask.
If you travel back a few more years, you could see the beginning of masks as a piece of artwork in this mask, worn by Michel Dion.
For a short time, the penguins had blue uniforms (which will be worn in the upcoming "Winter Classic" against the Buffalo Sabres on New Years Day, 08 (More about this later)). When they wore blue, so did the men in the crease, including Michel Plasse, seen here rocking the "Warrior" mask.
Which brings us to the man whose name was made for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Marc-Andre Fleury. He has had odd ones (what is that, a drooling fish?), ones with cartoon penguins, and even a real penguin or two.
Note to whoever will be the next goalie for the Pittsburgh Penguins, BRING BACK THE BATMAN PENGUIN!

Here are a couple "Bonus Masks"
Tom Barrasso
Another Barrasso
Patrick Lalime

Whats this? Dahwks!

2007-11-13T22:18:00.001-05:00

I bring you one of my favorite videos ever. It begins ordinary, J.S. Giguere talking about his cyborg mask. Then the good stuff happens. Ilya Bryzgalov, proceeds to tell us about his cartoon covered mask, broken English and all. This is somewhat old, but hope my one reader* likes it.

*One reader may not be true, there, in fact, may be none

Team Spotlight: Chicago Blackhawks

2007-11-13T14:12:00.002-05:00

Going through picture of goalie masks, team by team, I realized that some are just not creative, lightning for Tampa Bay, stars for Dallas, and so on. The Chicago Blackhawks do have the majority of their helmets covered in Native Americans, but are really awesome looking.
First of all lets start in the beginning. Tony Esposito had a very strange looking mask, when he played in Chi-town. Of course he also wore the classic "Jason" style mask without any trace of the glasses mask.
Ed Belfour's, famous "Eddy the Eagle" mask was gone when this picture was taken of him as a rookie. And Micheal Leighton donned a robot like man, while Jocelyn Thibault went the traditional route.
Fast forward to the present, and the Blackhawks have two goalies, both with masks that have followed their careers. Nikolai Khabibulin has had his Bulin Wall/ Eagle paint job for a while, and it continues in the Windy City.

Now for the fun part. One of the most intimidating/funny looking/coolest mask I have ever seen is this. Today in an era of political correctness, I doubt that something like this could happen again. Just the idea of getting ready to shoot when you look up, and see this? Later Jeff Hacket did his own style, but with just the headdress. So that is what the Chicago Blackhawks have contributed to the goalie mask world.

In the Beginning...

2007-11-12T15:24:00.001-05:00

Ah, time for a little background on the beloved goalie mask. To the left you see a very primitive rendition of this piece of equipment. Clint Benedict was struck in the face in a game between the Canadians and the Maroons on 1930. So Clint decided to try out a mask. Well, he found it obstructed his vision, so after 2 games, he stopped wearing it. The creation of the mask would have to wait a couple more years.
In 1959 a man by the name of Jacques Plante donned the second mask; a little more modern looking, but still a little strange, nonetheless. This was the beginning of the mask as we know it today. Plante continued to wear it even while being ridiculed, a modern-day Noah perhaps.
This is the early history of the mask. Artwork, cages, even a good design had yet to be added to the history of the goalie mask. So I thank you , Mr. Benedict, and you too Jacques, for making the game of hockey a little more colorful.

Dwayne Roloson's Former Mask's Backstory

2007-11-08T10:15:00.002-05:00

Current Mask

Why?

2007-11-02T12:41:00.001-04:00

Why are so many people fascinated with goalie masks? It can't be the safety reasons, or the structure of the helmet. It simply looks cool. Growing up, I loved masks like John Vanbiesbrouck, or Mike Richter. They looked invincible.
Not only that, but it has personal meaning for those who wear it. Such as a son's initials, or a favorite former player, or as simple as a jersey number. Combine that with the team color and logo, and you have the perfect amount of Team and Self. No other sport give that freedom, except maybe basketball shoes. You will never see a football player with a picture of Yoda on the back.
So this is my tribute, to the masks past and present. From the familiar to the unheard. This is Mask's of Glory. (Anyone know a better name?)