04/16/24
November 12, 2008
Halloween for 82 games.: 50+ photos of the NHL's masked men and their masks. Better than anything you'll find in your local drug store's Halloween section. (SI)
Garth Brooks? Carey Price, I expected more from you.
posted by holden at 11:24 PM on November 12, 2008
It hurts me that the hated Flyers have the two coolest masks in that collection. My humble opinion, of course. Neat post Bo.
posted by tahoemoj at 03:42 AM on November 13, 2008
I'd be very interested in the people who design the masks. Is it one company? Seems a bit like Orange County Choppers originality especially the MIA/POW one. Have to like the Statue of Liberty with Rangers across her chest. Could do without the guns.
posted by gfinsf at 07:40 AM on November 13, 2008
The development of the whole mask art thing is so interesting. Kind of surprising in a way that the NHL let this thing happen. Rather than mandating that every player on each team wear a helmet with a common team logo design. And then adding on some sponsor branding, etc. of course. Now, it's beyond their control.
Shows you the difference between the NHL and other pro sports leagues. Can you imagine the NFL letting individual players custom design their own helmets?
Just think what Ocho Cinco's helmet would look like. Barf bag material.
Being an old fashioned mid-lifer, I still admire the player that does great things without calling undue attention to themselves. The wideout that catches a TD pass, hands the ball to the ref, and jogs back to the bench. So if I were an NHL goalie, I'd go for a simple basic helmet design rather than Godzilla's tonsils. I'd feel awful if I was wearing a super hot shot mask and let in a soft goal.
Actually, maybe I'd do a mask that payed homage to the truly courageous real-life freaks of nature: the guys who played goalie before there were masks. I'd have Worsley airbrushed on one side and Sawchuck on the other. Frankenstitches, scars and all.
posted by beaverboard at 09:18 AM on November 13, 2008
Just think what Ocho Cinco's helmet would look like. Barf bag material.
Off the top of my head, I see Chad, nailed to the uprights by his palms, catching a pass as time expired to win the superbowl. Oh, he's also glowing and there are many beautiful virgin cheerleaders below him.
I said below.
posted by dfleming at 09:44 AM on November 13, 2008
They really needed to show the other side of Danny Sabourin's(the pens back up) helmet. It is a awesome shot of the city skyline with the pens arena in the forfront. It is awesome. great post BO.
posted by Debo270 at 10:50 AM on November 13, 2008
So if I were an NHL goalie, I'd go for a simple basic helmet design rather than Godzilla's tonsils.
Like Chris Osgood?
posted by holden at 01:04 PM on November 13, 2008
Gerry Cheevers, Bruins goaltender in the 70s, might have started the whole decorated mask trend. He had the trainer paint his mask with stitches and scars where he had been hit. After a season of use, it was gruesome. Here is a picture. www.hockeymasks.com
posted by Howard_T at 02:39 PM on November 13, 2008
One that stood out to me just last year was Hannu Toivonen, then on the Blues. Link below. Love the ears.
posted by BoKnows at 04:01 PM on November 13, 2008
Pascal Leclaire obviously loves his Captain Crunch. (more at this shameless self link)
Thanks for posting, BoK.
posted by MrFrisby at 09:14 PM on November 13, 2008
Gary Cheevers. Thanks Howard, I couldn't remember who originally wore the stitches mask but I remember when Steve Shields had the modern style helmet with it painted on the front. The side had ears and and hair painted on it. Coolest. Mask. Ever.
posted by HATER 187 at 04:21 PM on November 14, 2008
Brian Boucher's hair sticking up through the vents was pretty funny. Also, I can only hope that Jamie McLennan never wears this piece of crap again.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:38 PM on November 14, 2008
Bo knows masks. Good post sir.