Goalie mask

A goalie mask is a mask worn by an ice or field hockey goalie to protect the head from injury.

Related Topics:
Mask - Ice - Field hockey - Goalie - Head - Injury

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The first mask was a crude leather one worn by Clint Benedict in the 1920s to protect a broken nose. Upon recovery from the injury, he never used it again. Jacques Plante was the first to wear a mask full-time after being struck in the face with a puck during a game in 1959. Although he faced some derision, Plante's fiberglass mask soon became the standard and a symbol of the game.

Related Topics:
Clint Benedict - 1920s - Jacques Plante - 1959 - Fiberglass

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Two kinds of goalie masks are currently in use. The first one is a simple helmet/cage combination, but it is not generally popular as it does not provide ample protection to the sides of the head, plus there is doubt as to whether this type of mask can fully absorb high-speed slapshots (despite criticisms, it is currently used by goalies such as Dominik Hasek and Dan Cloutier). The second one is a fibreglass mask with a cage attached in the middle. This type of mask is the most popular one among goalies today. In addition to providing good protection to all sides of the head, goalies found it fashionable to give their mask distinctive decorations. In fact, nowadays goalies become instantly recognizable with their trademark decorations on their masks.

Related Topics:
Dominik Hasek - Dan Cloutier

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The advent of the goalie mask changed the way goaltenders play, allowing them to make more saves on their knees without fear of serious head injury. Prior to goalie masks, most goaltenders stayed standing as much as possible. In the modern era, an overwhelming majority of saves are made when the goaltender has one or both knees on the ice.

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In recent years, baseball catchers have begun to wear very similar masks. The first such mask made its debut in 1996 by Darrin Fletcher who was playing with the Toronto Blue Jays back then.

Related Topics:
Baseball - Catcher - Darrin Fletcher - Toronto Blue Jays

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