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