It is shocking for hockey players and fans under the age of 40 to consider that the goalie mask didn't gain universal approval until the 1970s. It may be even harder to conceive that the mask wasn't used at all until the 1950s. Until that point, goalies went into battle with their faces fully exposed to the cannonading blast of vulcanized rubber traveling at 100 miles per hour or better.
The goalie mask started off as a form-fitting piece of fiberglass that went directly over the face. Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens was the first to wear it in game competition and he did it eagerly in 1959 after he had been hit in the face with a shot from Andy Bathgate of the Rangers. Versions of the mask were distributed to goalies throughout the league and some liked them and others did not. Complaints about comfort, fogging and vision obstruction were logged.
Eventually, masks were universally accepted and goalies started to wear them with elaborate designs. Among the most memorable was Boston Bruin goalie Gerry Cheevers "stitches" mask. Cheevers drew stitches on his mask every time a puck hit his facial area. Eventually many goalies went to cage-style masks that were less cumbersome. The equipment is still evolving and comfort is the key issue for many of the pros who wear the facial protection.
What to Look for
The most important thing a goalie needs to do his job is see the ice and the puck without any encumbrances. He also wants to make sure that his vision is always protected. The form-fitting plastic masks did not always assure that that a goalie would be protected from a hard shot. It might help him avoid a broken bone or a serious cut, but a shot traveling at 100 miles per hour or better hitting the plastic mask still caused headaches and concussions. The cage-style mask does a better job of protecting against those kind of injuries since they don't rest right on the face. The only drawback of the cage is that the crossing struts in front of the eyes can take some getting used to and can impact clarity of vision.
Common Pitfalls
Young goalies are given a mask along with pads and a goalie stick right from the start. It is as much a part of his equipment as a mask is for a catcher in baseball. However, when he takes off his mask during a timeout or between periods, it's significantly cooler and lighter and may create a psychological desire to play without it. That simply cannot happen. A mask is a very personal piece of equipment. A goalie has to decide whether he wants a cage or a more form-fitting mask. Comfort and ease of movement and motion have to be the deciding factors.
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