Check out that goalie’s mask
Sports illustrated recently named the 10 best goalie masks of the decade. You can find them all here. A couple of notes though, from my perspective:
Curtis Joseph's Mask
For me, Felix Potvin was the first Maple Leafs goaltender I remember wanting to be. Not wanting to be like, but wanting to be. As I got up in my teenage years, though, there was a new kid on the block… and I wanted to be him instead. That new kid was Curtis Joseph. With a nickname like Cujo, how could his mask have looked any different? It couldn’t have been awesomer… then again, neither could he.
But, if I was to pick a favorite:
Andrew Raycroft's Mask
Poor ol’ Raycroft. The guy really was promising. Then he fell apart in net. But, he had the greatest goalie’s mask I’ve ever seen. It shows class and a knowledge of the background of the game he played. An Ontario boy playing on the Maple Leafs had the old arena, Maple Leaf Gardens, front and center, with Leafs greats painted around the rest of the mask. Wendell Clark, Johnny Bower, Doug Gilmour, Felix Potvin. Razor’s mask indicated that he knew how awesome it was that he got play in the NHL for the Maple Leafs. If only he could’ve played well!
I have to agree that Razor’s mask is a beauty. I’m not sure if the credit should go to Andrew or to his artist Frank Cipra, but it is a thing of beauty.
I believe it was actually Joseph who pioneered this sort of tribute when he wore a similar mask in the final game played in Maple Leaf Gardens.
I’ll give a vote to Rick DiPietro’s veterans theme. Personally, I find most of them discusting. I am tired of living in a world of demons and skulls. “There have been plenty of skulls appearing on masks over the years, but never one quite so demonic — with glowing blue eyes and jagged teeth almost too big for their mouth”, just doesn’t reflect well the priority of my Christian worldview.
David, appreciate the comment… I didn’t know that about Cujo. It makes me like him even better. I never got to see a game in the old building (not for lack of desire, but for lack of follow-through), but that’s something I’ll regret my whole life.
Ken, I hear where you’re coming from. I think it’s probably tied into attempted intimidation. Although, you’d think that the pads that make them look big as a bear (Okay, it’s not that bad any more) would do that. Or the razor blades attached to their feet. I love hockey, but the basic principle is a little bit insane.
I liked the one that the guy wore that made him look like Jason.
So…a few things. 1. Raycroft’s been doing well where he is. Playing backup for my team.
2. My vote goes to Luongo’s mask.