Goalie Week: Memorable Masks by Bill Meltzer @BillMeltzer / philadelphiaflyers.com
Ever since Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante, in 1959, became the first NHL goaltender to permanently don a face mask and the use of masks went from a curiosity piece to a necessity over the next decade-plus, the masks themselves evolved from strictly a utilitarian piece of equipment to a colorful expression of a goalie s personality, At first, splashes of color and/or team logos were added. Later, elaborate designs, thematic motifs and a full palette of colors were added; sometimes at the goalie s own behest, and quite often at the suggestion of professional mask designers.