Classic Goalie Masks - The Top 5 / Best Historic Goalie Masks From the NHL
70It’s hard to imaging today, but during the National Hockey League’s early years, brave goaltenders were forces to defend their nets without benefit of facial protection. In the 1959, after received a shot to the face, Jacques Plant decided that enough was enough. Plante henceforth insisted on wearing a mask during a game, and since that time hockey masks has evolved from a mere protective shields to elaborate works of art. Below is a short list of my personal top 5 classic greatest / best NHL hockey masks of all time.
Jacques Plante NHL Hockey Mask
Jacques Plante’s mask has to make the list of greatest NHL goaltender masks f for no other reason than historical significance. During the first period of a game between the Montreal Canadians and the New York Rangers in 1959, Plante’s face was on the receiving end of a shot by New York’s Andy Bathgate. Plant e left the game bleeding heavily from a wide gash near his mouth. After receiving stitches, he returned and told his coach that the was ready to get back on the ice, but only with his protective mask on. Plante had worn masks during practices, but never during a game. He would become the first NHL goaltender to wear a mask on a regular basis.
Gerry Cheevers NHL Hockey Mask
Gerry Cheevers wore perhaps the most famous mask in hockey history. The design is composed of numerous ‘stitch marks’. Each stitch mark represents a place where Cheevers has hit in the face during a game (and which might have had to be repaired were in not for his protective mask). In a recent survey by a hockey publication, Cheevers’ mask was voted the best of all time.
Gilles Gratton NHL Hockey Mask
Today’s NHL Hockey masks have elaborate artistic designs that are far removed from most of those worn in decades past. Gilles Gratton, however (despite his very brief NHL career), was way ahead of his time with his ‘tiger’ mask design. Gratton claims he got the idea for the mask’s fierce image while casually flipping through the pager of National Geographic magazine.
Ken Dryden NHL Hockey Mask
Ken Dryden's ‘target’ mask became one of the best known in hockey history, Dryden wanted a distinctive yet simple design, modeled on his teams logo, that would stand out when viewed by fans high up in the stands and on television.
Mike Palmateer NHL Hockey Mask
Mike Palmateer, the acrobatic goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs, wore one of the most iconic masks in hockey history. Palmateer claims that the idea for his Maple Leaf mask’s design came from a 10 year old fan who sent him a sketch of what he thought the goaltender’s mask should like .
The Story Behind the Jacques Plante Mask....
Gerry Cheevers Great Saves...
Mike Palmateer in action!
Hockey talk from around the world...
- Travis Yost: Kicking the Tires on Andrei Kostitsyn?
Make sure to follow Travis on Twitter! -- When Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray laid out his off-season plans to the media after a first-round elimination, he specifically noted two needs for the franchise heading into the summer: One, a top-four defensive defenseman who can log valuable minutes on a blue line that struggled from time-to-time last season. The other? A top-six forward, specific... - 2 hours ago
- GARTH: Tip The Crown To The Kings
I love the Kings to win th eStanley Cup in 6 games. I would've rather seen Lundqvist and teh Rangers play LA, however, it wasn't to be. Quick -v- Brodeur will be a great series matchup. I'll give you my takes on The Finals later.... Gor now, lets celebrtae the launch of the Thursday at The Harbor outdoor concert series. The Cult will lift the lid off the place in week one. Frankly... - 2 hours ago
- John Toperzer: Saturday interview with Pierre McGuire
McGuire believes lack of discipline unraveled Pittsburgh's playoff hopes Follow @JohnToperzer !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Notes from Pierre McGuire in an interview with Bob Pompeani on t... - 5 hours ago
- Todd Cordell: Adam Henrique's OT winner sends the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals
Adam Henrique made a name for himself in the National Hockey League with his regular season play, and his name has only gotten bigger and bigger as the playoffs have went on. He's scored arguably the two biggest goals of the New Jersey Devils post-season run, and for those, like myself, who have watched him play since his days with the Windsor Spitfires, it has been no surprise. Here are some note... - 6 hours ago
- Ian Esplen: Does Lecavalier Make Some Sense?
Follow me on Twitter for random hockey talk, question and answer sessions, and the odd witty tweet Twitter Buttons Rumours have been circulating that the Lightning would consider trading for Roberto Luongo if the Canucks would take back Vincent Lecavalier. Now, while a trade such as this would cause some havoc with Vancouverâs cap in the future, it does make some sense and is a move that... - 7 hours ago
- Dee Karl: Congrats to the NJ Devils
**PS: thinking Semin rumour is untrue. Just sayin' It wasn't easy, but it's over. The New Jersey Devils and their 40-year-old, future Hall of Fame goalie have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Congrats to them and congrats to the NY Rangers for their stellar season. As an Islander fan, yes, it is my birth-right to root against the Rangers and if some hockey fans found that offensive,... - 7 hours ago
- Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Shelley and Sestito, Today in Flyers' History
When the Flyers signed Jody Shelley in the 2010 offseason, the club overpaid to lure the veteran enforcer away from the New York Rangers. He received a three-year contract worth $1.1 million against the salary cap. Over the course of his tenure in Philadelphia, Shelley has been a good solider who has been unpopular with a segment of the fan base solely because of his contract. If he were earni... - 8 hours ago
- Eklund: Agony and Ecstasy
To this very day, it pains me to watch footage of the 1980 Stanley Cup Final. A pair of blown first-period calls by the officials -- a high-stick goal by Denis Potvin and, more famously, linesman Leon Stickle missing an obvious offside that, two seconds later, led to a Duane Sutter goal -- weighed heavily in the New York Islanders Cup-clinching win in overtime of Game 6. I couldn't bring mysel... - 9 hours ago
Ken Dryden video tribute..
 | Amazon Price: $24.70 List Price: $45.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $2.74 List Price: $12.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $10.00 List Price: $30.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $35.99 |
