Goalie Helmet Styles

Goalies in hockey are required to wear helmets and masks to protect themselves, but they do have some choice in the style. Some classic styles of hockey helmets still are used today, but there are more modern designs as well. You can custom paint your helmet to look like anything you want.

  1. Full Face Masks

    • Some hockey goalie helmets still use the full face masks with holes only for the eyes and mouth. These were used as early as the 1950s and still can be found today, although they are used more frequently for street hockey, rather than ice hockey.

    Helmet and Cage

    • Another rare type of goalie mask is the helmet-and-cage style. This style consists of a skater-type helmet with a full wire face cage attached to it. The cage in this helmet style typically is separate from the helmet itself. A few NHL goaltenders, most notably Chris Osgood of the Detroit Red Wings, still wear this style as of 2010.

    One Piece

    • Most modern goalie helmets are a single piece consisting of a helmet with a cage fused to it. This style, commonly referred to as a "cat's cage" because of the large eye holes in the wire cage, is worn by most professional goaltenders.

    Teams

    • Some goalies will paint their team's logo or a variation of it on their helmets. This shows team spirit and can even look intimidating. For example, if the team is named the Devils, the helmet can be painted black with red horns on the sides.

    Personal Meaning

    • Getting a design that has significant meaning is another way to style a goalie helmet. Treat it like a tattoo, and get something that means a lot to you. You might not always play for the same team, so get a design uniquely yours.