Hockey goalies’ gear through the ages – Chicago Tribune
In the early days of hockey, the equipment worn by goaltenders was primitive and offered far less protection than the state-of-the-art gear worn by today’s guardians of the crease. Leather pads that soaked up water and got heavier as games went on have been replaced by pads made from lightweight, waterproof material. The equipment has also gotten larger and more elaborate, which benefited goalie safety but also squeezed the scoring area for shooters. Before the 2013-14 season, the NHL imposed new limits on the size of a goaltender’s leg pads in order to open up the “five-hole,” the hockey term for the area between the pads.
As the game and its equipment has grown more sophisticated, so has the National Hockey League’s rules governing it. Read more about the rule changes affecting the goalies here.
1930s
Chuck Gardiner
1927-28 to 1933-34
1930s
Chuck Gardiner
1927-28 to 1933-34
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Goalies didn’t wear masks in the early days. The slap shot had not yet come into vogue, and shooters used wooden sticks that weren’t curved like modern sticks, so pucks fired at goalies would typically lack lift and speed. Masks were also considered unmanly.
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Helmet/mask: None
Upper body protection: These were similar to the pads baseball catchers were using at the time, made of leather, canvas and felt. Some protectors included thick felt sleeves beneath the sweater.
Elbow/shoulder: Early versions were minimal, made of leather and filled with felt. Some players wore elbow pads on the outside of sweaters. A few pad models contained metal, which was later banned.
Padding: Virtually all NHL goalies wore Kenesky brand leg pads, which were made from horsehide and modeled after cricket pads.
Blocker: Early blockers had wood frames filled with sponge or rubber, and were worn over a regular leather glove.
Catcher: The catching glove is leather with felt padding, reinforced with extra padding around the thumb.
Goalies didn’t wear masks in the early days. The slap shot had not yet come into vogue, and shooters used wooden sticks that weren’t curved like modern sticks, so pucks fired at goalies would typically lack lift and speed. Masks were also considered unmanly.
About the gear
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A – Helmet/mask: None
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B – Upper body protection: These were similar to the pads baseball catchers were using at the time, made of leather, canvas and felt. Some protectors included thick felt sleeves beneath the sweater.
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C – Elbow/shoulder: Early versions were minimal, made of leather and filled with felt. Some players wore elbow pads on the outside of sweaters. A few pad models contained metal, which was later banned.
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D – Padding: Virtually all NHL goalies wore Kenesky brand leg pads, which were made from horsehide and modeled after cricket pads.
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E – Blocker: Early blockers had wood frames filled with sponge or rubber, and were worn over a regular leather glove.
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F – Catcher: The catching glove is leather with felt padding, reinforced with extra padding around the thumb.
Late 1950s-60s
Glenn Hall
1957-58 to 1966-67
Late 1950s-60s
Glenn Hall
1957-58 to 1966-67
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Goalies wore no masks until the late 1950s, and a few players continued to go maskless through the 1970s. Hall did not don a mask until late in his career, when he played for the St. Louis Blues.
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Helmet/mask: None
Upper body protection: Worn over a felt long-sleeve shirt with extra padding around elbows and shoulders, the protector was made of thick canvas or leather with a felt backing.
Padding: Keneskys were still the brand of choice, made from horsehide and cotton sheeting and filled with lightweight kapok, a material used for furniture stuffing.
Blocker: Hall and most goalies of his era used a leather Cooper Model GM12 “waffle” blocker and glove.
Catcher: Hall and most goalies of his era used a leather Cooper Model GM12 “waffle” blocker and glove.
Goalies wore no masks until the late 1950s, and a few players continued to go maskless through the 1970s. Hall did not don a mask until late in his career, when he played for the St. Louis Blues.
About the gear
-
A – Helmet/mask: None
-
B – Upper body protection: Worn over a felt long-sleeve shirt with extra padding around elbows and shoulders, the protector was made of thick canvas or leather with a felt backing.
-
D – Padding: Keneskys were still the brand of choice, made from horsehide and cotton sheeting and filled with lightweight kapok, a material used for furniture stuffing.
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E – Blocker: Hall and most goalies of his era used a leather Cooper Model GM12 “waffle” blocker and glove.
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F – Catcher: Hall and most goalies of his era used a leather Cooper Model GM12 “waffle” blocker and glove.
Late 1960s-70s
Tony Esposito
1968-69 to 1983-84
Late 1960s-70s
Tony Esposito
1968-69 to 1983-84
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A two-piece upper body protection introduced shielding for the elbows and shoulders. Head and face protection slowly became the norm. The last goalie to play without a mask in the NHL was Pittsburgh’s Andy Brown in 1974.
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Helmet/mask: Built of strong aircraft fiberglass, masks were custom-designed to fit tightly to the goalkeeper’s face. These early masks protected against serious injury but did not prevent cuts, but the cuts tended to be cleaner and healed more quickly. Esposito later added head and neck extensions and a front cage to his mask.
Upper body protection: Two pieces now protected the chest and shoulder. Padding was stuffed canvas with harder caps on the shoulders and elbows.
Padding: Leg pads were still custom-made Keneskys, similar to Hall’s.
Blocker: The Cooper Model GM12 “waffle” blocker and glove were still the standard.
Catcher: The Cooper Model GM12 “waffle” blocker and glove were still the standard.
A two-piece upper body protection introduced shielding for the elbows and shoulders. Head and face protection slowly became the norm. The last goalie to play without a mask in the NHL was Pittsburgh’s Andy Brown in 1974.
About the gear
-
A – Helmet/mask: Built of strong aircraft fiberglass, masks were custom-designed to fit tightly to the goalkeeper’s face. These early masks protected against serious injury but did not prevent cuts, but the cuts tended to be cleaner and healed more quickly. Esposito later added head and neck extensions and a front cage to his mask.
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B – Upper body protection: Two pieces now protected the chest and shoulder. Padding was stuffed canvas with harder caps on the shoulders and elbows.
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D – Padding: Leg pads were still custom-made Keneskys, similar to Hall’s.
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E – Blocker: The Cooper Model GM12 “waffle” blocker and glove were still the standard.
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F – Catcher: The Cooper Model GM12 “waffle” blocker and glove were still the standard.
1990s
Ed Belfour
1988-89 to 1996-97
1990s
Ed Belfour
1988-89 to 1996-97
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Combination arm and chest protectors became more advanced and custom-fitted. Materials were waterproof, lightweight and allowed for greater mobility. Head gear evolved to protect the entire head and neck area.
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Helmet/mask: New lightweight masks were made of fiberglass and epoxy resin materials. Belfour’s was custom-molded by hockey Hall of Famer Greg Harrison. This hybrid mask was secured by a back plate to allow freedom of movement, and a chin flap was added to protect the throat area. Cages were made of stainless steel.
Upper body protection: Advancements included a lightweight nylon suit of shaped blocks stuffed with high-density foam and plastic. Large blocks protected the elbows, and floating shoulder flaps protected underarms.
Padding: Belfour wore Brian’s Air Pac leg pads, made of a synthetic leatherlike material called Clarino and filled with a mixture of foam and deer hair.
Blocker: Belfour used Pro Air Pac pad model 400, with a Clarino and nylon exterior. The interior was made from high- and low-density foams and high-density plastic.
Catcher: Belfour used Brian’s model 850.
Combination arm and chest protectors became more advanced and custom-fitted. Materials were waterproof, lightweight and allowed for greater mobility. Head gear evolved to protect the entire head and neck area.
About the gear
-
A – Helmet/mask: New lightweight masks were made of fiberglass and epoxy resin materials. Belfour’s was custom-molded by hockey Hall of Famer Greg Harrison. This hybrid mask was secured by a back plate to allow freedom of movement, and a chin flap was added to protect the throat area. Cages were made of stainless steel.
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B – Upper body protection: Advancements included a lightweight nylon suit of shaped blocks stuffed with high-density foam and plastic. Large blocks protected the elbows, and floating shoulder flaps protected underarms.
-
D – Padding: Belfour wore Brian’s Air Pac leg pads, made of a synthetic leatherlike material called Clarino and filled with a mixture of foam and deer hair.
-
E – Blocker: Belfour used Pro Air Pac pad model 400, with a Clarino and nylon exterior. The interior was made from high- and low-density foams and high-density plastic.
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F – Catcher: Belfour used Brian’s model 850.
2015
Corey Crawford
2010-11 to present
2015
Corey Crawford
2010-11 to present
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Current goalies suit up with head-to-toe protection. Full upper-body armor and padded pants use the latest foam, plastic and carbon materials to disperse puck impact.
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Helmet/mask: Crawford wears a CCM Pro Mask made of carbon with a Kevlar composite shell. The back is extended for increased coverage and safety, and the cage is made of titanium.
Upper body protection: Crawford uses a Reebok/CCM Pro Arm and Body model that wraps fully around the upper body and arms. Foam padding in the sternum area protects against hard shots. Segmented chest blockers increase mobility. Elbow caps are injection-molded.
Padding: Crawford uses Reebok XLT Pro pads, made with a foam core and a colored exterior to match the team uniforms.
Blocker: This is also a Reebok XLT Pro model, with binding and foam wraps that cover the fingers and extend to the wrist.
Catcher: Reebok XLT Pro model. One-piece foam thumb and cuff with a shape designed to absorb the impact of repeated shots. Foam padding over the top of the hand provides extra protection from rushes to the net.
Pants: Crawford wears Reebok Pro pants with molded thigh and waist padding. The back is designed to contour with a goalie’s body when crouching. An interior belt tightens, keeping the pants shell away from the body to reduce impact.
Current goalies suit up with head-to-toe protection. Full upper-body armor and padded pants use the latest foam, plastic and carbon materials to disperse puck impact.
About the gear
-
A – Helmet/mask: Crawford wears a CCM Pro Mask made of carbon with a Kevlar composite shell. The back is extended for increased coverage and safety, and the cage is made of titanium.
-
B – Upper body protection: Crawford uses a Reebok/CCM Pro Arm and Body model that wraps fully around the upper body and arms. Foam padding in the sternum area protects against hard shots. Segmented chest blockers increase mobility. Elbow caps are injection-molded.
-
D – Padding: Crawford uses Reebok XLT Pro pads, made with a foam core and a colored exterior to match the team uniforms.
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E – Blocker: This is also a Reebok XLT Pro model, with binding and foam wraps that cover the fingers and extend to the wrist.
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F – Catcher: Reebok XLT Pro model. One-piece foam thumb and cuff with a shape designed to absorb the impact of repeated shots. Foam padding over the top of the hand provides extra protection from rushes to the net.
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G – Pants: Crawford wears Reebok Pro pants with molded thigh and waist padding. The back is designed to contour with a goalie’s body when crouching. An interior belt tightens, keeping the pants shell away from the body to reduce impact.
Sources: NHL, Reebok, Brian’s Custom Sports, Gunzo’s Sports Center, The Goalie Guild, Kenesky Sports, “The Big Book of Hockey for Kids” by Eric Zweig, Heritage Auctions, Legends of Hockey, Legendary Auctions, Classic Auctions, Warwick Mask Company, Source for Sports
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