Most Iconic Hockey Goalie Masks of All Time

Goalie masks didn't just make the sport safer. They created a bold, new art form.

Most Iconic Hockey Goalie Masks of All Time

Times have changed in hockey. Before triple-figure cannon shots, year-round workout programs and monstrous contracts, goalies put their faces in the way of hard pieces of vulcanized rubber. Hard to believe, isn’t it, puckheads?

Such self-inflicted pain is no longer part of the game, and we have Jacques Plante, Gerry Cheevers and Doug Favell to thank for it. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost of goalie masks. The threesome didn't just provide the impetus for a safer sport. They also created a bold, new art hockey form. Here’s a stick tap for them all.

But not all hockey goalie masks are created equal. Some have been more marvelous than others. These are the players with the best goalie masks in NHL history.

25. Ken Dryden

NHL career: 1970-79 (8 seasons)

Teams: Montreal Canadiens

Career statistics: 397 game/258-57-74 W-L-T/2.24 GAA/.922 SV%

Stanley Cup titles: 6 (1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)

Bottom Line: Ken Dryden

How can you not be a big fan of Ken Dryden's target mask? It was a symbol of complete and utter arrogance. Here I am, chump. Now beat me. I dare ya!

Hey, when your team hoists six Stanley Cups in eight seasons, you can be that way.

"Giraffe" fun fact: This classic was the first to feature team colors.

24. Wayne Stephenson

NHL career: 1971-81 (10 seasons)

Teams: St. Louis Blues (1971-74), Philadelphia Flyers (1974-79), Washington Capitals (1979-81)

Career statistics: 328/146-103-50/3.07/.892

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Wayne Stephenson

The longtime backup highlighted the Flyers logo around the eyeholes and left the rest to the imagination. (Blues netminder Ed Staniowski had a similar look in the same era.)

The image can be anyone/thing you want to be, and that’s the beauty of it. A superhero? An astronaut? A race-car driver?

We say it’s Big Bird on a hangover.

23. Antero Niittymaki

NHL career: 2003-11 (7 seasons)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (2003-09), Tampa Bay Lightning (2009-10), San Jose Sharks (2010-11)

Career statistics: 234/95-86-31/2.95/.902

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Antero Niittymaki

"Nitty" was his nickname, similar to that of Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti, the hitman for Al Capone in the Chicago mob days.

Now connect the dots, kids. If the career backup had played in the Broad Street Bullies days, his trademark lid would have been better yet.

Bunch of criminals.

22. Carey Price

NHL career: 2007-present (13 seasons)

Teams: Montreal Canadiens

Career statistics: 682/328-250-74/2.49/.917

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Carey Price

Pricey holds the unofficial record for most different masks worn in a career.

Our favorite is the modern replica that pays tribute to Canadiens great Jacques Plante, the original masked man.

It made an appearance at the 2011 Heritage Classic.

21. Johan Hedberg

NHL career: 2000-13 (12 seasons)

Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins (2000-03), Vancouver Canucks (2003-04), Dallas Stars (2005-06), Atlanta Flames (2006-10), New Jersey Devils (2010-13)

Career statistics: 373/161-143-36/2.82/.901

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Johan Hedberg

When the emergency call-up made his Penguins debut in Minnesota Moose headgear, a nickname and mask (with team logo and cartoonish moose character) were soon to be born.

The best version might also have been his last. That was the "Escape From New York"-themed classic that he wore at a Rangers tryout but never in an NHL game.

It was auctioned for charity after his retirement.

20. Marc-Andre Fleury

NHL career: 2003-present (16 seasons)

Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins (2003-2017 ), Las Vegas Knights (2017-present)

Career statistics: 847/466-266-82/2.57/.913

Stanley Cup titles: 3 (2009, 2016, 2017)

Bottom Line: Marc-Andre Fleury

Personal artist Stephane Bergeron turned Marc-Andre Fleury's headgear into a Steelers helmet for the 2014 Winter Classic at Soldier Field in Chicago, home of the NFL Bears.

The only differences were a Penguins logo at the right side and Fleury's face at the lower front, soul patch and all.

As for the game itself, oh, never mind.

19. Jonas Hiller

NHL career: 2007-16 (9 seasons)

Teams: Anaheim Ducks (2007-14), Calgary Flames (2014-16)

Career statistics: 404/197-140-37/2.55/.914

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Jonas Hiller

So often do goalies try to out-slick each other, their designs can become overdone. That’s what makes this black matte beauty with metallic gold bars so special. It was an especially sharp look with the Ducks' black ensemble.

His Movember mask that raised awareness for men’s health issues also deserves some love here. The design featured headshots of teammates and their fresh mustaches, his included on the backplate.

Too funny.

18. Ron Low

NHL career: 1972-85 (11 seasons)

Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (1972-73), Washington Capitals (1974-77), Detroit Red Wings (1977-78), Quebec Nordiques (1979-80), Edmonton Oilers (1979-83), New Jersey Devils (1982-85)

Career statistics: 382/102-203-38/.869/4.29

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Ron Low

This pioneer played for so many (mostly rotten) teams for so long, he had ample opportunity to mix and match designs.

Ron Low's best mask was his Red Wings model, which combined contrast and creativity with amazing results.

The knockoff logo is so well done the organization should adopt it as an alternate.

17. Olaf Kolzig

NHL career: 1989-90, 1992-2009 (17 seasons)

Teams: Washington Capitals (1989-90, 1992-2008), Tampa Bay Lightning (2008-09)

Career statistics: 719/303-297-87/2.71/.906

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Olaf Kolzig

The big man with the big temper became known as "Godzilla" in the minor leagues. The name was shortened to "Zilla" on the chin of his original T-Rex mask, which some mistook for a Barney look-alike.

The revised version was a killer, though — a futuristic, fire-breathing Mechagodzilla creature that packed the wow factor. Add a 9/11 tribute and Capitol Building on the sides and an autism ribbon and his other nickname (Olie the Goalie) on the backplate, and this model was scary good.

16. Curtis Joseph

NHL career: 1989-2009 (19 seasons)

Teams: St. Louis Blues (1989-95), Edmonton Oilers (1995-98), Toronto Maple Leafs (1998-2002, 2008-09), Detroit Red Wings (2002-04), Phoenix Coyotes (2005-07), Calgary Flames (2007-08)

Career statistics: 943/454-352-96/2.79/.906

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Curtis Joseph

Of the many Frank Cipra creations over the years, Curtis Joseph's iconic Maple Leafs model rates as the best of all.

Cujo was named after the rabid dog from the Stephen King novel, and the awesome detail on his mask captured the essence of the dangerous beast.

Cujo not-so-fun fact: Few if any ex-goalies appreciate headgear more than this one. A Wendel Clark howitzer to the face might have deep-sixed the Blues goalie in the 1993 playoffs, but somehow, he was only dazed and remained in the game.

15. Mike Richter

NHL career: 1989-2003 (14 seasons)

Teams: New York Rangers

Career statistics: 666/301-258-73/2.89/.904

Stanley Cup titles: 1 (1994)

Bottom Line: Mike Richter

Fess up, Gotham bashers. You like those glorious Lady Liberty sweaters almost as much as we do, right?

Well, Ricky took the concept to a higher level, and the impeccable match was worthy of a 21-gun salute.

Henrik Lundqvist among others would copy the look in later years, but there was only one original.

14. Ben Bishop

NHL career: 2008-present (11 seasons)

Teams: St. Louis Blues (2008-11), Ottawa Senators (2011-13), Tampa Bay Lightning (2012-17), Los Angeles Kings (2016-17), Dallas Stars (2017-present)

Career statistics: 413/222-128-36/2.32/.921

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Ben Bishop

Mask guru David Gunnarsson took this concept from "Tron," the animated sci-fi movie.

Whether you liked the Disney production or not, this mask rates six stars. Rarely has one fit a team nickname so well.

Wait, there’s more — the bolts glow in the dark. Now that’s what we call lights out.

13. Jim Rutherford

NHL career: 1970-83 (13 seasons)

Teams: Detroit Red Wings (1970-71, 1973-81, 1982-83), Pittsburgh Penguins (1971-74), Toronto Maple Leafs (1980-81), Los Angeles Kings (1981-82)

Career statistics: 457/151-227-59/3.66/.879

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Jim Rutherford

"Roach" is one of the more overlooked pioneers of maskdom even if it did come by accident. Unbeknownst to him, a friend painted red-winged wheels that resembled the team logo above the eyeholes of his white headgear.

The owner wore it in a game out of necessity, but the reviews were so positive, it soon became one of the most distinctive appendages of his time.

Strange how the hockey gods work sometimes, isn’t it?

12. Felix Potvin

NHL career: 1991-2004 (13 seasons)

Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (1991-98), New York Islanders (1999), Vancouver Canucks (1999-2001), Los Angeles Kings (2001-03), Boston Bruins (2003-04)

Career statistics: 635/266-260-85/2.76/.905

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Felix Potvin

The gaudier the headgear, the more difficult to appreciate especially from afar. That’s why this "Felix the Cat" model stands out decades after the fact.

The Greg Harrison concept is simple and consistent, while the colors are bold yet not busy.

The two-time All-Star says the Maple Leafs and Kings versions are his personal favorites. Two thumbs up.

11. Gilles Gratton

NHL career: 1975-77 (2 seasons)

Teams: St. Louis Blues (1975-76), New York Rangers (1976-77)

Career statistics: 47/13-18-9/4.03/.866

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Gilles Gratton

This Greg Harrison production looked so real in the days before the caged mask, the open-mouthed tiger appeared to be painted on the flesh.

"Gratoony the Loony" was just the guy to try it, too. The nutcase was known to mimic cat-like actions and even growl at opponents in the crease area.

All he needed was more face time.

10. Gary Bromley

NHL career: 1973-76, 1978-81 (6 seasons)

Teams: Buffalo Sabres (1973-76), Vancouver Canucks (1978-81)

Career statistics: 136/55-44-28/3.44/.874

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Gary Bromley

The career backup made a name off his sinister skull-and-bones model. Note the absent teeth, the result of errant sticks/pucks/elbows, no doubt.

Indeed, seldom has a goalie mask fit its subject to this degree. Because when the man known as "Bones" made a rare start, his team was DOA more times than not.

9. Andy Moog

NHL career: 1980-98 (16 seasons)

Teams: Edmonton Oilers (1980-87), Boston Bruins (1987-93), Dallas Stars (1993-97), Montreal Canadiens (1997-98)

Career statistics: 713/372-209-88/3.14/.891

Stanley Cup titles: 3 (2004, 2005, 2007)

Bottom Line: Andy Moog

"Moger" was one of a select few to wear classics with different teams. His Edmonton version (large oil drops on the frontal lobe, team logo on the chin) was a sight to behold.

Yet he outdid himself in Boston, where he was among the first to go animal on us. Not only is the bear a perfect match for the sweater logo, but it’s a heckuva lot scarier as well.

8. John Vanbiesbrouck

NHL career: 1981-2002 (20 seasons)

Teams: New York Rangers (1981-93), Florida Panthers (1993-98), Philadelphia Flyers (1998-00), New York Islanders (2000-01), New Jersey Devils (2000-02)

Career statistics: 882/374-346-119/2.98/.899

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: John Vanbiesbrouck

The original Panthers red/gold/black sweaters were some of the most popular in pucks history, and John Vanbiesbrouck's equally impressive headgear serves as a perfect match for them.

Check out the awesome cat on the front.

Yep, Beezer nailed it.

7. Brian Hayward

NHL career: 1982-93 (11 seasons)

Teams: Winnipeg Jets (1982-86), Montreal Canadiens (1986-90), Minnesota North Stars (1990-91), San Jose Sharks (1991-93)

Career statistics: 357/143-156-37/3.72/.874

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Brian Hayward

Just when you thought it was safe to enter the goal crease, Brian Hayward's iconic Jaws mask dared otherwise.

OK, the lid wasn’t enough to scare many opponents in the early days of the Sharks franchise, but the goalie looked almost too real as he peered ominously between two rows of shark teeth. Once imitated (Thomas Greiss, early 2010s), never duplicated.

"Hazy" fun fact: He wore this model in the first victory in franchise history.

6. Ed Belfour

NHL career: 1988-2007 (17 seasons)

Teams: Chicago Blackhawks (1988-97), San Jose Sharks (1997), Dallas Stars (1997-2002), Toronto Maple Leafs (2002-06), Florida Panthers (2006-07)

Career statistics: 963/484-320-125/2.50/.906

Stanley Cup titles: 1 (1999)

Bottom Line: Ed Belfour

Which came first — the "Eddie the Eagle" nickname or the mask?

It was the legendary lid, which made its debut after several tweaks in the 1995-96 season, then followed him the rest of his career.

An early version resides where it belongs — the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

5. Gary Simmons

NHL career: 1974-78 (5 seasons)

Teams: California Seals/Cleveland Barons (1974-77), Los Angeles Kings (1977-78)

Career statistics: 107/30-57-15/3.57/.888

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Gary Simmons

You won’t find the Cobra in the Hall of Fame as a player — he never won more than 15 games in an NHL season — but his mask is front and center there. Why shouldn’t it be? After all, his cobra design was the first to create a buzz around the league.

Cobra fun fact: While in the minors, a Phoenix Roadrunners teammate likened Gary Simmons' goalie style to that of a cobra. The comment made its way into the local newspapers, and the nickname stuck the rest of his career.

4. Grant Fuhr

NHL career: 1981-2000 (19 seasons)

Teams: Edmonton Oilers (1981-91), Toronto Maple Leafs (1991-93), Buffalo Sabres (1993-95), Los Angeles Kings (1995), St. Louis Blues (1995-99), Calgary Flames (1999-2000)

Career statistics: 868/403-295-114/3.38/.887

Stanley Cup titles: 4 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988)

Bottom Line: Grant Fuhr

As one of the few goalies to play in three decades, the Hall of Famer bridged the gap between the molded, caged helmet and full fiberglass birdcage versions.

Of the many different ones he wore in his career, nine by our count, the vintage Oilers model was his favorite.

Doesn’t matter to us. All were knockouts.

3. Doug Favell

NHL career: 1967-79 (12 seasons)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (1967-73), Toronto Maple Leafs (1973-76), Colorado Rockies (1976-79)

Career statistics: 373/124-153-70/3.17/.905

Stanley Cup titles: None

Bottom Line: Doug Favell

Inspired in part by Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin, which was a thing at the time, "Dancing Doug" wore an orange mask for the game on Halloween night in 1971, when the first decorative model made its NHL debut.

His impact went beyond Philly, though. In 1973, shortly after his trade to Toronto, he made more history with the first of two maple leaf designs. Then, he left his mark in Colorado with a jagged blue/white/red/gold design that mirrored the Rockies landscape and team colors.

No matter the score, this guy never looked bad.

2. Jacques Plante

NHL career: 1952-65, 1968-1975 (18 seasons)

Teams: Montreal Canadiens (1952-63), New York Rangers (1963-65), St. Louis Blues (1968-70), Toronto Maple Leafs (1970-73), Boston Bruins (1973)

Career statistics: 837/437-246-145/2.38/*.902

Stanley Cup titles: 6 (1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)

Bottom Line: Jacques Plante

Only because of his courage and leverage and common sense did the face of hockey change forever.

After a shot felled the Canadiens great in a game in New York — an iconic photo showed the results in gruesome detail — he returned only minutes later with the home-made mask that he had worn at practices.

Despite the reservations of his coach, "Jake the Snake" would become the first to wear one on a permanent basis. Even better, this happened on Nov. 1, 1959, the night after Halloween. How good is that?

1. Gerry Cheevers

NHL career: 1961-62, 1965-72, 1975-80 (13 seasons)

Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (1961-62), Boston Bruins (1965-72, 1975-80)

Career statistics: 418/227-104-76/2.89/.901

Stanley Cup titles: 2 (1970, 1972)

Bottom Line: Gerry Cheevers

C’mon, puckheads, could there be any other One? Like a lot of his Big, Bad Bruins teammates, this noted prankster wasn’t much for practice. So when a puck struck him in the grill early in the 1967-68 season, "Cheesie" had an excuse to check out early.

Trainer Frosty Foristall famously painted a would-be stitch mark on his white mask to embellish the pain and torment, which was good for a few more yuks in the locker room. Yet the goalie liked the design so much he had more stitches added, where warranted, the rest of his career.

For years, the most famous goalie mask in pucks history was hung in the home of his grandson, while replicas adorned barroom walls across New England.