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Masks: a Goalie's Power Play

Players spend top dollar expressing themselves on gear

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted May 9, 2009 4:38 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Unlike their cookie-cutter colleagues in other sports, NHL goalies wear their hearts on their faces, the Washington Post reports in a retrospective celebrating the 50th birthday of a netminder's best friend—the goalie mask. Players take great pride in personalizing them, sometimes spending $1,000 on images of prizefighters, dead relatives, or even Hershey Bars.

"It's a conversation piece, and fans seem to have an attraction to it," said hockey writer Jim Hynes. Masks are essential for safety, but were discouraged until one player ignored ridicule to wear one in 1959. Facing 100-mph airborne pucks, a 1960s goalie had stitches painted on where gashes would have been. A New York Rangers goalie later painted on a lion to "distract the shooters," Hynes said. "After that, anything went."

Goaltender Peter Budaj #31 of the Colorado Avalanche warms up prior to facing the Dallas Stars during NHL action at the Pepsi Center on October 3, 2007.
Goaltender Peter Budaj #31 of the Colorado Avalanche warms up prior to facing the Dallas Stars during NHL action at the Pepsi Center on October 3, 2007.   (Getty Images)
The puck bounces off the mask of Anaheim Ducks' goalie Jonas Hilleras he plays against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period of the hockey game in Pittsburgh,Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007.
The puck bounces off the mask of Anaheim Ducks' goalie Jonas Hilleras he plays against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period of the hockey game in Pittsburgh,Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007.   (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The famous target mask of former Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden.
The famous "target" mask of former Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden.   (Wikipedia)
Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Dallas Stars has a portrait of Garth Brooks on his helmet.
Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Dallas Stars has a portrait of Garth Brooks on his helmet.   (Getty Images)
Goaltender Martin Biron #43 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during their NHL game on April 3, 2007.
Goaltender Martin Biron #43 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during their NHL game on April 3, 2007.   (Getty Images)
Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Atlanta Thrashers talks to a teammate on the bench during a break in action of the NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks on February 10, 2007.
Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Atlanta Thrashers talks to a teammate on the bench during a break in action of the NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks on February 10, 2007.   (Getty Images)
Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on February 11, 2006.
Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on February 11, 2006.   (Getty Images)
Jamie McLennan #29 of the Florida Panthers looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs at BankAtlantic Center on January 30, 2006.
Jamie McLennan #29 of the Florida Panthers looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs at BankAtlantic Center on January 30, 2006.   (Getty Images)
Goaltender Alexander Auld #35 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the game on January 10, 2006.
Goaltender Alexander Auld #35 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the game on January 10, 2006.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Yourself
May 14, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
SPH, some have, but it's always small and in the back, the league has rules against it.

 
NHL • athlete • hockey • masks • Jay-ZTV

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