TretiakCCCP20

The hockey goaltender's mask today is an essential part of every goaltender's equipment. It helps protect his face from injury due to the many hazards the sport of ice hockey has. The mask itself has stood the test of time and has evolved along with the sport itself. It is hard to imagine an age in the wonderful sport of ice hockey where masks didn't exist. However, 50 years ago most goaltenders did not wear masks for a multitude of reasons. It was viewed as cowardly to wear a mask and the human nature to refuse change had a role as well. Injuries requiring surgeries, stiches, retirement, and sometimes on occasion even death were common. The absence of the mask during the time period before the 1950's had a drastic effect on goaltending style of play. Most goalies played a stand-up position and avoided putting their faces low to the ice as to avoid higher risk of injury. It is commonly thought that the great goaltender and hockey innovator, Jacques Plante was responsible for the first goalie mask. This is an incorrect assumption. Although Plante was the first goalie to wear the mask on a consistent basis, he was certainly not the first goaltender to experiment with the idea of the mask. The earliest recorded instince of the use of a protective mask in the sport of ice hockey by a goaltender was by Elizabeth Graham who wore a fiberglass fencing mask when she played for Queenstown University in February 1927. It only protected her teeth and she only wore the mask for one game. Three years later in 1930, Montreal Maroons goaltender Clint Benedict would be the first goalie to wear a protective mask in an NHL game. It was a crudely made leather mask that protected his nose and cheek bones but left the rest of his face heavily exposed. He wore this mask for only one game. Benedict's mask is pictured below. In the 1936 Olympics, Japanese goaltender Teiji Honma would become the first goaltender to don a facemask in an Olympic game, which he wore for two games. The mask was made from leather and had a bird style cage attached to it and looked strikingly similar to a baseball catcher's mask. Honma wore the mask to protect his eye glasses. His mask is pictured below. Fast forward to 1959 and the great Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante's infamous mask. Jacques Plante had previously played using the his fiberglass mask earlier during practices. However, then Montreal coach Toe Blake forbid him from using it during actual games. This all changed on November 1st, 1959 after Plante took a slap shot to the face from the New York Rangers' Andy Bathgate. After receiving multiple stiches, Plante refused to go back on the ice unless he could wear his mask. Seeing as how NHL teams were not required to keep backup goaltenders on hand at the time, Coach Toe Blake had no choice but to relent. The Canadiens won the game against the Rangers and Montreal went on an unbeaten streak of 18 games. The mask was here to stay. After Plante introduced the fiberglass mask to the NHL community, the idea was slow to catch on. Goaltenders still had this thought that if they decided to wear a mask they would be considered a coward. Much of the 1960's saw a few goaltenders wear masks but most largely decided not to. Goaltenders such as Terry Sawchuk decided to wear one after repeated injuries. Where as goaltenders such as Gump Worsley and Glenn Hall were diehard traditionalists that resisted the donning of the mask (Although both of them eventually wore masks their last seasons). Although Plante personally designed his own mask by himself. Most goalies had their masks designed for them. Most of the time team trainers would design and craft these masks at the request of a goaltender. Notable mask designers of the time include Ernie Higgins and Gary Warwick Sr. Andy Brown was the last goaltender to not wear a mask and played until 1974. The 1970's saw the mask gaining much more acceptence. As the game started to intensify in speed, skill, and shot accuracy it soon became apparent that the mask had to become standard. Also introduced during the 70's was the idea of mask customization such as Gerry Cheevers wearing his "stich mask" and Ken Dryden wearing his "Bullseye" mask. During this time the next jump in mask evolution was found when Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak donned a helmet-bird cage hybrid mask. This slowly begin to see more widespread use and by the 1980's wire caged masks were starting to take over as fiberglass masks started to fade. Pictured below are Gerry Cheevers' mask and Ken Dryden's mask respectively. http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m877qcpFd91qcjmdyo1_1280.jpg http://www.goaliesarchive.com/canadiens/goalie/dryden.jpg Starting in the 1990's up to the present the mask started to look more refined and perfected. You saw masks that were specifically designed for goaltenders and were meant to provide the best vision and comfort possible. Also, the use of airbrushing techniques to create designs on masks was starting to become common during this time such as with Martin Broduer's Devils mask pictured below. http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/1202/nhl-goalie-masks-by-team-2011-12/images/new-jersey-martin-brodeur.jpg As for the next step in the evolution of the mask? Who knows? The mask has enjoyed over 50 years of evolution from a crudely made piece of equipment into a finely perfected piece of art and an essential part of every goaltender's kit.

Hello there. Welcome to my blog. First, a little background on myself. My name is Jordan, I live in a small town in Central Wisconsin I am currently 21 years old. I have been playing hockey since I was roughly 4 years old. Thanks in large part to my dad, I now live and breathe historic hockey. My main area of studying historic hockey is goaltending however, I venture into other positions as well. I currently play hockey here in my town as part of pick-up type of hockey. Second order of business is to share with you the point of my blog. I would like to share some of the wonderful hockey knowledge I have learned though my own studies. I mostly specialize in 1950-1990 hockey, whether it be the NHL, the WHA, National teams, or other leagues. I have always had a fascination with anything to do with this period in hockey and I am learning new things everyday. My goal is to inform people who would like to know about this significant chunk in hockey history. The game took on many changes and evolved considerably and I think it's important to share knowledge with others about it. I certainly welcome questions and differing view points. I hope you enjoy what I have to write and hope you enjoy my future blog posts. -Jordan

@Digityman Thanks!

@hf101 Yes, Gretzky overshadowed many great players.

@ruxpin Smith was a mean sob that's for sure. You couldn't get anywhere near that guy without getting slashed. He was also a tremendous actor and would often times overexaggerate to try to draw penalties. Regardless though, he was a mighty fine goaltender. He seemed to know when to step it up which was usually during playoff time.

New York Islanders Team History The Islanders who burst on to the scene rather quickly in 1972, was the answer to Nassau County officials being approached by the then rival WHA wanting to bring a franchis into the new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Officials in Nassau County did not view the WHA as a legitimate professional league and the only way to legally keep them out was to bring in an NHL franchise. The New York Rangers however, did not want additional competition within the New York area. Despite this Clarence Campbell thought the idea was sound. The NHL hastily granted this new franchise in Long Island to Roy Boe, then owner of the New York Nets. At the same time a franchise was granted to the Atlanta and would be called the Flames. This brought the NHL's team number to 16. Due to their close proximity to the Rangers the new franchise had to pay $4 million in territorial fees. The first year in the league, like most expansion teams struggled to find footing and posted a record of 12–60–6, one of the worst in NHL history. However, the Islanders would find success in building their team through the draft and avoided drafting veteran players. From 1980-1983 the Isles won 4 straight Stanley Cups. In 1983 the even beat the Wayne Gretzky lead Edmonton Oilers. Billy Smith: Billy Smith was drafted in the 1972 Expansion Draft by the Islanders and was the second player picked by the team. His first two years he shared goaltending duties with Gerry Desjardins. After Desjardins departure to the WHA, Smith had the job all to himself. With Smith in net that year, the Isles made their first playoff appearance. Smith is best known for backstopping the Islanders in net to their 4 straight Stanley Cup victories in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983. He was also the first NHL goalie to be credited with a goal which he accomplished on November 28, 1979 against the Colorado Rockies. Smith was very well known for his temper and fearlessness to engage opponents that got near him (hence his nickname "Battlin' Billy" and "Hatchet Man"). During Smith's day, crease violations were much less strict however. He has been consistently named the "Meanest Goalie" to ever play the game. One example noted was during a particular practice Smith took a tremendous slap shot from Mike Bossy and charged at Bossy in retaliation but was stopped by his teammates. Denis Potvin: Potvin was drafted first overall by the Isles in the 1973 NHL Amatuer Draft and garnered tons of hype as the player that would save the struggling Islanders. He made an immediate impact as he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year in his first season and the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenseman two years later. In the 1979-1980 season, his first as captain of the Isles he helped them to their first of four straight Stanley Cups. In his eight seasons as captain the Islanders never failed to make the post-season. He was known for being a physical player and was often compared to Bobby Orr in terms of his intelligence on the ice. Clark Gillies: Was drafted by the Islanders in the 1974 NHL Draft. He immediately became well known as a tough guy and an extremely physical presence on the ice. Due in part to his physical play, he was a key asset in the Isles' success in the early 80's. Despite his tough guy nature on the ice, he never exceeded over 100 penalty minutes in any given season. After the 1985-1986 season he was picked up by Buffalo where he remained for a season and a half before his retirement. Mike Bossy: Drafted by the Islanders 15th overall in the 1977 NHL Amatuer Draft. Bossy boldly predicted he would score 50 goals in his rookie season which he made good on his promise, posting 53 goals his first season and winning the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year. In 1980-1981 season he stunned the league by being only the second player to post 50 goals in 50 games, the first being Maurice Richard who made the mark 36 years before, a record which many thought would never be repeated. Bossy was well recognized for his clean play and rarely ever resorted to fighting. Bossy retired at the ripe old age of 30 with 573 goals and 553 assists in 752 NHL games. He played his entire career in an Islanders uniform. Bryan Trottier: He was drafted in the 2nd round, 22nd overall by the New York Islanders in the 1974 NHL Amatuer Draft. He won the Calder Trophy in 1975-1976 by setting an NHL rookie record at the time of 95 points that season. He was a key player in helping the Islanders to their 4 straight Stanley Cups, all while winning the Hart Memorial Trophy and Art Ross Trophy in 1978-1979. He was part of the famous "Trio Grande" line of the Islanders that consisted of Trottier, Bossy, and Gillies. He ranks second in Islanders history in goals, and first in assists and points. He was eventually sent to the Pittsburgh where he won his fifth and sixth Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992 and eventually retired after the 1993-1994 season. Bob Nystrom: His first full season with the Isles he posted 41 points garnering consideration for the Calder Trophy. Nystrom was known as well of the most well balanced two-way forwards in the league and was selected to play in the 1977 NHL All-Star Game. Nystrom was well known as a respectable fighter within the Islanders crew and regularily made efforts to improve his play, especially in skating. He eventually gained notoriety as one of the best NHL clutch players in NHL Playoff history and a knack for overtime game winners. During the 1985-1986 season Nystrom had a very serious eye injury (two tears in his retinas that later required surgery) effectively ending his career. I leave you with this short video on the Islanders' first Stanley Cup.

@radoran Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Unfortunately, the NHL doesn't count wins based on if "they played well enough to win". Whichever team scores the most goals wins the game...

@murraycraven If Detroit had lost last night yeah I wouldn't be happy but I wouldn't be posting in a giant panic about how they have a lot of work to do and this and that...Please tell me again how pointing out that everybody seems to panicking is mildly trolling...Aren't forums suppose to encourage differing view points? I guess you have a problem with my view point. Doesn't bother me a bit.

I simply call it panicking not overanalyzing but hey whatever helps you sleep at night guys

Overrated player - Marc Andre Fleury Most Overrated Team - Chicago Blackhawks and a close second would be Philly

Doesn't matter, you all are freaking out over the first game of the season. God forbid the Flyers lose a game, that's like the end of the world isn't it? World is still turning last I checked so suck it up and move on, it's not the playoffs yet...

@trevluk I'll let the 11 cups that Detroit has do the rest of the talking for that one

Apparently the first game of the season means its time to panic...81 more games...calm down people.

@Poulin20 My hatred of the Flyers extends beyond division rivalries. If they lose, they lose. I'm happy regardless of who they lose to

Red Wings have to really watch those penalties. More discipline can make all the difference. Should have been a 4-1 win but Miller kept Buffalo in the game. Overall, a decent win for the Red Wings.

Apparently signing Lecavalier isn't going to solve your woes in Philly lol My Red Wings won last night and a talented Maple Leafs team beat Philly. Have to say I'm quite pleased with how last night turned out.

As if the NHL is so popular it could afford to ban fighting...That's one of the few aspects of the game that really brings the fans in. Regardless of whether you agree with it or not it sells hockey to people. As long as it keeps the fans coming and keeps people interested then it should stay part of the game. Just watch this will be the next thing Bettman decides to tamper with...

@bunnyman That's very interesting stuff. And just glad you're not another Flyers fan, way too many of those here. The Blues are a good team, I'm sure they'll get their first cup soon enough. They are definitely an up and coming team it seems like.

@hf101 Roy has been known for his temper when he was playing so this doesn't exactly surprise me. Honestly, he has every right to be mad about it. If the game was close I might have understood it but it was 6-0 like come on...If that barrier had broken down between Roy and Boudreau I just gotta say my money would be on Roy to beat the piss out of him hahahaha. Anyways, good win for the Av's I think Roy as head coach is exactly what the team needs to make a turn around.

@yave1964 It's the first game of the season. It has to hold some importance lol.

@radoran Well put!

@mojo1917 Interesting take, the league has basically made it now so that the talent pool is very spread around like you have said. In a way its kind of a good thing because you don't have like in MLB where the Yankees basically buy themselves championships. What really annoys me is how everybody is saying the Blackhawks are going to repeat like its a done deal or something. Like really?

@EDI-Flyer @radoran Very decent points you two have made! there are so many factors as far as why dynasties are becoming much less common. The salary cap is definitely a big contributer to that. Successful teams just can't afford to keep their players for very long. And loyalty to a given team is very rare because money talks. If a player finds a team that offers more usually they will take the new offer over staying with their old team.

As you all know the Red Wings take on the Sabres tonight. Seaon opener for both of these teams and the home opener for Detroit. The big change this year is Detroit's move to the Eastern conference. That being said these two teams will start playing each other much more often because of the conference shuffling. Just would like to get everybody's thoughts on the game and any predictions on who might come out on top and who will make a big impact in the game.

If he wins one more cup then I'd say yes he is a hall of famer.