A closer look at the masks we wear
If there is a day eerily similar to Christmas Day for goaltenders, that day is when they receive freshly painted masks.
Most active and former goaltenders can attest that designing a goalie mask is among the best parts of playing one of the most stressful positions in all of sports. Goaltenders take a lot of pride in designing their masks as well as figuring out the best colour combinations for their pads, blocker and trapper.
There has been a wide array of phenomenal masks in the NHL. Felix Potvin’s mask mimicking Felix the Cat in the early 1990s was extremely popular among Maple Leafs fans. Potvin was followed up by Curtis (Cujo) Joseph, who had one of the most menacing masks of all time, featuring Cujo from the 1983 horror film. Eddie (the Eagle) Belfour always maintained his very recognizable eagle mask throughout his career whether he was tending goal for the Blackhawks, Leafs, Stars, Sharks or Panthers.
Honourable mention needs to go to former Boston Bruins goaltender Steve Shields, who paid tribute to legendary Bruin Gerry Cheevers by including stitch marks on the front, and a photo of Cheevers’ ears on the sides. Cheevers marked his mask in the 1970s to indicate where he would have been stitched up if he had not been equipped with facial protection.
Another mask extremely popular in the 1990s was that worn by former Bruins goalie Andy Moog. The fierce Bruin possessed intimidating eyes and a ferocious mouth.
Some other notable masks include the shark mask worn by former San Jose goalie Brian Hayward, the Statue of Liberty mask worn by former New York Rangers stalwart Mike Richter and the gold Panther worn by former Florida Panthers netminder John Vanbiesbrouck. Antero Niittymaki sported famous mobster and Al Capone’s bodyguard Frank Nitti on his Philadelphia Flyers mask, while Finnish keeper Karri Ramo had a large brain on his mask during his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Ex Pete Ron Tugnutt wore one of the more basic but sharp looking masks with the Ottawa Senators. Tugnutt’s mask featured a splash of gold paint as well as the Senators logo. Tugnutt also had similar masks during his time with the Penguins and Stars.
When it comes to dissecting the best masks in the history of the NHL, there is a long list. Mike Smith did a fantastic job paying homage to former Flames goaltender and Hall of Famer Mike Vernon with his tribute mask. Fans are regularly treated to new designs throughout each season as numerous goaltenders have special masks for events such as the NHL’s Winter Classic and the all-star game.
Flames star goaltender Jacob Markstrom has had a plethora of masks during his time in Calgary. Whether it was displaying former teammate Chris Tanev’s teeth, or lack of, or his current mask with the burnt bars on his cage and Johnny Cash, Markstrom has shown that he not only is a great puck stopper, he also has a creative side to him.
Jake (Otter) Oettinger of the Dallas Stars had the aquatic mammal depicted on his mask while former Coyotes goalie Mikael Tellqvist had Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote. Lightning star Andrei Vasilevskiy even had a mask that changed colours depending on the temperature inside the arena.
Although some goalies will be remembered for their exceptional play and elite career statistics, others will be better remembered for the pieces of art displayed on their head representing their respective teams as well as their personal interests!
CHRIS HARDILL IS A PETERBOROUGH NATIVE WHO PLAYED GOAL FOR THE OHL’S BARRIE COLTS, KINGSTON FRONTENACS AND OTTAWA 67’S FROM 2000 TO 2003 AND DOES COLOUR COMMENTARY ON PETERBOROUGH PETES RADIO BROADCASTS. HIS COLUMN WILL APPEAR WEEKLY IN THE EXAMINER DURING THE HOCKEY SEASON.
Although some goalies will be remembered for their exceptional play and elite career statistics, others will be better remembered for the pieces of art displayed on their head