Top 10 NHL Goalie Masks of the '90s

SI Staff | Jan 12, 2011

Top 10 NHL Goalie Masks of the '90s /

Top 10 NHL Goalie Masks of the '90s

Mike Dunham

By the 1990s, the modern goalie mask took full form with wild airbrush paint jobs no longer the exception, but the norm. Here we rank the top 10 masks of the '90s. Dunham's mask was a bit of a departure from the team's friendly mascot, "NJ Devil", as well as starter Martin Brodeur's bland mask. Green eyes, jagged teeth, horns and a lashing tongue must have frightened plenty of young fans, and probably a few players too.

John Vanbiesbrouck

When your nickname is "Beezer" and you play in New York City, why not go with some bees buzzing around the city skyline? Having played nine full seasons with the Rangers, "Beezer" only got to wear this mask during his final season with the team, which was also the team's 53rd consecutive season without a Stanley Cup, before winning in '94. The armadillo on the chin is the mark of mask maker and artist Don Straus of Armadilla Mask. At the time, his masks were bigger and rounder than any worn before.

Ken Wregget

Wregget felt his mask with the Danny DeVito Penguin from Batman Returns was so nice, he only wore it a few times. It now resides near the entrance to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Curtis Joseph

Joseph is immediately recognizable on the ice for his masks featuring a snarling dog, drawing inspiration from the Stephen King novel "Cujo," which also happened to be his nickname, derived from the first two letters of his first and last names. While the rabid beast has appeared with more detail on Joseph's different teams over the years, it all started with his first team, the Blues.

Ed Belfour

Throughout his career, Belfour has worn masks featuring an eagle on either side of his helmet. When asked why an eagle, he stated "It is a strong figure representing individuality, leadership, confidence, and outstanding vision. Its hunting and aggression are characteristics I admire, so when I was thinking of what I wanted on my mask, the eagle was a natural choice." On the chin, there is an image of the logo for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a charity very close to his heart.

Blaine Lacher

Lacher's career may have been brief, but the netminder was not short on nicknames. "Lacher Blocker" was also known as "Locks" and "The Lach Net Monster," as evident by his mask.

Corey Hirsch

With an Alfred Hitchcock silhouette painted in the middle of his mask and the Bates Motel from the movie Psycho on either side, Hirsch revealed he is quite a fan of the Master of Suspense.

Andy Moog

Andy Moog's ferocious bear is one of the most menacing masks created. The eyes and fangs really gave this mask character, which was clearly the inspiration for Cujo's many masks, among others.

Trevor Kidd

There are two things "Kidder" is best remembered for. One is being the first goalie taken (11th overall) in the 1990 draft, with Martin Brodeur, the NHL's all-time wins leader, going second (20th overall). The other is having some of the coolest masks in the league, particularly his fire-breathing dragons while with the Flames.

Brian Hayward

While Hayward was in net for the Sharks when they won their first ever NHL regular season game, he is far better known for his mask (another Armadilla design by Straus), looking as though he is peering out from the jaws of a great white. This mask began the trend of having a creature on the mask appearing to devour the person inside of it. To quote Robert Shaw from Jaws , "This shark, swallow you whole."

Published Jan 12, 2011

SI STAFF