Goalie Masks have been a staple in hockey since the late 1950’s when Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante wore the first goalie mask which was just a plain white mask. Since then, the designs on hockey masks have become a thing of beauty. Here are the top five goalie masks of all time.
1. Brian Heyward- San Jose Sharks
The shark mouth cage that Brain Heyward wore in the 1990s was an innovative design. The details on the mask made this goalie mask a fan favorite in San Jose.
2. Wayne Stephenson- Philadelphia Flyers
Wayne Stephenson was a goalie for the Flyers from 1972 to 1979. During his time as a Flyers goalie, he sported a mask that had two Flyers logos converted into eyeholes. This mask was unique in the ’70s and beloved by Flyers fans.
3. Gary Simmons- California Seals
Another goalie mask that was popular with fans in the ’70s was Gary Simmons’s black cobra mask. This artwork played to his nickname “The Cobra.”
4. Gary Bromley- Vancouver Canucks
In the 1980s, Gary Bromley was nicknamed “Bones.” Because of this, he sported a mask that had skulls and bones in honor of this nickname.
5. Ron Hextall- Philadelphia Flyers
Ron Hextall is considered by many the best goalie in Flyers history, Hextall sported a simple mask that has an orange arrow pointing down the mask with two Flyers logos near the top and back of the mask.
