Masks

[Subdeacon Joe]

In 1959, Jacques Plante changed the face of hockey—literally. On November 1st of that year, during a game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers, Plante was struck by a puck in the face. This was not the first time he had taken such a blow. In fact, throughout his career, he had endured several facial injuries due to the lack of protective gear for goaltenders at the time. But what Plante did next would forever alter the way the game was played and pave the way for modern goaltending practices.

Before 1959, goaltenders in the NHL played without masks, a practice that had been the norm for decades. The idea of a mask was seen as unnecessary, perhaps even weak. Goaltenders were expected to be tough, enduring any and all hits to their bodies as part of the game. But the danger was ever-present. Hockey pucks, made of solid rubber, could reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour, and the goalie's position put them in the line of fire more than any other player on the ice.

Plante had been a trailblazer in other ways before his mask-wearing debut. He was known for venturing out of the goal crease to play the puck, something that was highly unconventional for goaltenders at the time. His ability to read the game and control the pace from the goal made him one of the best in the business. However, this also made him more susceptible to being hit by pucks. He had been lobbying to wear a mask during games for some time, but his coach, the legendary Toe Blake, had refused to allow it, fearing it would hinder his vision and reflexes.

The injury on November 1, 1959, was severe enough that Plante had to leave the ice to receive stitches. He had been struck in the nose by a puck shot by Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers. When Plante returned, he was wearing a fiberglass mask he had been using in practice. Blake, reluctantly, allowed him to wear it for the remainder of the game. The Canadiens won that game, and Plante continued to wear the mask in subsequent games, refusing to take it off despite initial resistance from his coach.

The mask Plante wore that night was rudimentary by today’s standards. It was a simple fiberglass shield that covered his face but left the rest of his head unprotected. However, it was revolutionary in its time. It was the first instance of a goaltender wearing a mask during an NHL game, breaking with tradition and, more importantly, setting a precedent that would soon be adopted by other goaltenders.

The reaction to Plante’s mask was mixed. Some saw it as a smart move, while others, including many players and fans, viewed it as unnecessary. Critics argued that it would impair his vision and reflexes, essential elements for a goaltender. But Plante’s performance with the mask proved them wrong. He continued to play at an elite level, and the Canadiens went on a remarkable winning streak, further cementing Plante’s legacy.

Over time, the benefits of the mask became undeniable. Plante’s decision not only protected him from further injuries but also extended his career. It allowed him to play without the constant fear of facial injuries, something that had plagued goaltenders for years. Other NHL goaltenders began to follow suit, though it would take some time before masks became standard equipment in the league.

The evolution of the goalie mask didn’t stop with Plante’s initial design. Over the next few decades, goaltender masks underwent significant changes to improve both protection and visibility. In the 1970s, goaltenders began wearing masks with cages over the eyes, combining the benefits of Plante’s fiberglass mask with the added protection of a cage. This hybrid design became the precursor to the modern-day mask, which offers full protection for the face and head while still allowing the goalie to see the puck clearly.

Plante’s introduction of the mask also sparked innovations in other areas of hockey equipment. As the speed and physicality of the game increased, so did the need for better protective gear. Pads became more substantial, sticks were reinforced, and skates were redesigned for better mobility and durability. Goaltenders, in particular, benefited from these advancements, as they were increasingly required to face faster and more powerful shots.

Jacques Plante’s impact on the game of hockey extends far beyond his contributions as a goaltender. He revolutionized the position by not only introducing the goalie mask but also by redefining what it meant to be a goaltender in the modern era. His willingness to challenge tradition and prioritize safety over bravado paved the way for future generations of players. Today, it’s impossible to imagine a goaltender stepping onto the ice without a mask. It’s a fundamental piece of equipment, as essential as skates or a stick.

Plante’s legacy is also reflected in the changing attitudes toward player safety in the NHL. The mask was just the beginning of a broader movement to protect players from the inherent dangers of the sport. In the decades following Plante’s innovation, the league introduced helmets, visors, and other protective gear to reduce the risk of injury. Player safety became a priority, and the days of playing without protection were relegated to the past.

In addition to his contribution to player safety, Plante remains one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. He was a six-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens and won the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league’s best goaltender, seven times. His influence on the game can still be seen today in the style of play and equipment used by modern goaltenders.

Plante’s decision to wear a mask on that fateful night in 1959 wasn’t just about self-preservation; it was about changing the game for the better. He understood that the game of hockey was evolving, becoming faster and more dangerous, and that goalies needed better protection to keep up with the demands of the sport. His mask was a symbol of that change, a small piece of equipment that would have a lasting impact on the sport.

Today, goalie masks are not only functional but also works of art, with custom designs that reflect each player’s personality and style. But it all started with a simple fiberglass mask worn by Jacques Plante, a mask that changed the face of hockey forever.

#hockey #goalie #JacquesPlante #NHL #mask #history #sports #innovation #legend #safety

 

[Cypress Sun]

Goalies everywhere, and the Friday the 13th movie series, thank him.

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

Now more than goalies wear them.

I see a lot of youngsters wearing them even at pick-up games of shinny.

It means more kids keeping their front teeth these days.

[Subdeacon Joe]

On 9/28/2024 at 5:50 PM, Cypress Sun said:

Friday the 13th movie series,

 

Well, he can be forgiven for that because of what he did for goalies. 

[Subdeacon Joe]

9 minutes ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

I see a lot of youngsters wearing them even at pick-up games of shinny.

 

From context I knew what shinny means, but for fun I looked it up. 

From Wikipedia,  

"Shinny is a game that all levels of hockey enthusiasts can play because it requires no rink, requires no skills except ability to hold a stick and at the very least to try to touch the puck or ball when it goes by. Shinny may be completely non-competitive and recreational." 

 

"Shinny, generally believed to be a precursor to ice hockey, was informal enough in its formative years that the pucks and sticks were often makeshift. During the Great Depression, for example, northern boys used tree branches or broomhandles as sticks, a tin can, a piece of wood, and even a frozen road apple (horse dropping) as a puck. Any object about the right size might serve as a puck."

 

 

First Nations Children - Tree Branch Hockey Sticks - Shinny

[Pat Riot]

We used to play broom hockey using a rubber ball on pavement or a piece of sawed off tree limb in packed snow or an icy parking lot. 
 

To any kids reading this: Ask your Mom before taking her broom. 
 

Edit: the piece of tree limb was cut like a puck. 

Edited September 30 by Pat Riot

[Stump Water]

On 9/28/2024 at 7:23 PM, Subdeacon Joe said:

Today, goalie masks are not only functional but also works of art, with custom designs that reflect each player’s personality and style.

 

 In 2009 when we bought the Challenger I found a guy to do some custom airbrush work on the engine cover.  Shortly after he merged his business with another fellow whose main business was doing goalie masks.  After the merge that's ALL they did - custom airbrushed goalie masks.

Edited September 30 by Stump Water

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Many catchers wear goalie masks too.