The Evolution of the Goalie Mask

The mask is an important part of the hockey goalie's equipment ensemble, responsible for protecting the wearer's head and face and instill confidence that the athlete won't be harmed. Decades ago, the practice of wearing a mask was considered less than manly.

  1. The 1950s and 60s

    • Montreal Canadiens star goalie Jacques Plante first donned a homemade mask after taking a shot to the face. Originally, coach Hector "Toe" Blake and the media chastised Plante for the mask, later praising him when the Canadiens won their next 18 games.

    The 1970s

    • The mask evolved to cover the entire face, and many goalies took to elaborately painted designs on the mask after Detroit's Jim Rutherford added some paint to his mask. This era saw the explosion of mask makers and created some of the sports iconic masks, like Gerry Cheevers' Stitches mask and Ken Dryden's Target design.

    The 1980s

    • Following emerging international star Russian goalie Vlad Tretiak, many NHLers took to wearing a players helmet with an added steel cage. The cage was considered not as attractive as the masks that are worn flush to the face, but the helmet/cage afforded the wearer greater protection. Use of the full face mask was later banned by the NHL.

    The 1990s

    • The early 90s saw the creation and widespread use of the combo: a full shell that covered the goalies head with a small cage allowing for greater visibility. Despite the trend, some continued using the helmet/cage combo.

    Modern Age

    • The modern mask continues the previous decade's design, but uses lighter and impact resistant materials, like Kevlar webbing and fiberglass inserts, to protect the wearer. The use of titanium alloy cages decreases the weight and also adds additional strength in critical areas, such as the nose, eyes, mouth, teeth and cheekbones.