whoa, Those were awesome scary. But they didn't do the artwork. So I wondered if there were helmet painters. Yup... posted by nickyskye at 4:52 PM on November 4, 2007
Lame. Give me the old Gerry Cheevers stich mask. posted by R. Mutt at 5:02 PM on November 4, 2007
Exactly. They're not exactly "self-expression" of the goalie; they are all professionally airbrushed these days.
I prefer Old School: Gerry Cheevers sported this mask while playing with the Boston Bruins in the 1970's.
Cheevers always started with fresh unpainted mask which was covered in scars by seasons end. Cheevers' trainer (John Forristall) started the stitches trend by putting them on his mask wherever he was struck by a puck or stick. posted by Doohickie at 5:05 PM on November 4, 2007
Darn you to heck, R. Mutt. posted by Doohickie at 5:05 PM on November 4, 2007
Cheevers' unusual stitch-pattern goaltender mask came after he had been a puck flipped up and hit him in the face during practice. Cheevers, never one to miss an opportunity to skip out of practice, went to the dressing room. Bruins coach Harry Sinden followed him to the dressing room, where he found Cheevers enjoying a beer and smoking a cigarette. Sinden told Cheevers, who wasn't injured, to get back on the ice. In jest, John Forestall, the team trainer, painted a stitch mark on his mask... posted by R. Mutt at 5:12 PM on November 4, 2007
Thank god people don't design that much of their own stuff anymore. posted by 517 at 5:15 PM on November 4, 2007
Hmm. While the goalies don't do the actual artwork, many (most? all?) do decide what gets artworked onto their masks. If we allow some flexibility in our understanding of the meaning of "self-expression," Argyle's description is an appropriate one. Think of them as art directors whose vision is ultimately realized by art department staff. posted by notyou at 5:18 PM on November 4, 2007
It's funny how many are cartoon characters and bared fangs. I like to see Roberto Luongo's with the trees and Vancouver skyline or Wayne D's with Bob Nystrom holding the Cup, where it's a nod to the city.
Thanks for this. I swear I saw a helmet in the playoffs last Spring that had the Virgin Mary on one side and Elvis on the other, but can't find it.
Now we need an online gallery of Don Cherry's suits. posted by ardgedee at 5:20 PM on November 4, 2007
Being hit by flying pucks couldn't make those helmets any uglier, at least. posted by miss lynnster at 5:30 PM on November 4, 2007
Thank god people don't design that much of their own stuff anymore.
I couldn't disagree more. Cheever's homemade image is much more inventive and intimidating than a generic, airbrush fang laden disney type cartoon. posted by R. Mutt at 5:32 PM on November 4, 2007
It's interesting that the goalies even have the chance to decide what's on their helmet. You'd figure that their head would have been sold for advertising space long, long ago. "This hockey puck to the face proudly brought to you by great taste of Pespi Blue!" posted by ssmith at 5:48 PM on November 4, 2007
Those helmets are all really, really lame. The hockey equivalent of what my creepy neighbor painted on his van in 1979. posted by Dr. Wu at 6:06 PM on November 4, 2007 [2 favorites]
Most of these look like something a high school kid would love to paint on his locker. posted by davebush at 6:06 PM on November 4, 2007
Now we need an online gallery of Don Cherry's suits.
In the name of all that is good and pure in this world, no. Please, no.
Unless they're all 3D-modeled and rotating, with the hamster dance song on continuous loop. That might be worth it, just to say that I've seen the world's biggest eyesore. posted by CKmtl at 6:14 PM on November 4, 2007
They're not exactly "self-expression" of the goalie;
Yes and no, I guess it depends on what "self-expression" is permitted. An example is Ray Emery, of the Ottawa Senators, whose mask sports a pic of George Chuvalo, since Ray's had a reputation as a bit of a scrapper. So it's kind of a "don't mess with me" message for all who knock at his door.
But the story goes further back, when he wore a picture of Mike Tyson. Now THAT really sent a message, but the franchise asked him not to wear that one anymore.
Not sure I'd say "lame" if I were around him. posted by placebo_addict at 6:16 PM on November 4, 2007
A series of photos showing an amazing amount of personal self-expression product placement and art licensing on these professional athletes. posted by odinsdream at 6:20 PM on November 4, 2007
The funny thing about the one with Nystrom holding the cup is that it also shows the Flyer's Mel Bridgman (from the losing team) watching.
But yeah, it's like lousy van art, for sure. I'd like to see some of these guys turn their mask over to a seriously talented artist. I mean, can you imagine this painting with one of those masks substituted? posted by Rumple at 6:26 PM on November 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
WTF. Dude has Yoda on his head.
YODA.
ON.
HIS.
HEAD.
"Hmm. Have shoved puck here, talk like this you will." posted by eriko at 6:38 PM on November 4, 2007 [2 favorites]
A series of photos showing an amazing amount of product placement and licensing on these professional athletes.
Other than the brand of helmet, I didn't see much that would fit that critique. And while I agree "lousy van art" sums up 99% of them aesthetically speaking, the beauty here (as ssmith noted) is that this is even possible in today's hyper-regimented pro sports environment, where in most cases you'll be sent back to the locker room for anything beyond a number or a set of initials sharpie-d on a cleat or the inside of a cap.
So for that I say "bravo!" Ninth grade airbrush experiments and glowing fangs away! posted by jalexei at 7:09 PM on November 4, 2007
But the story goes further back, when he wore a picture of Mike Tyson. Now THAT really sent a message, but the franchise asked him not to wear that one anymore.
Phhht.. This dude has a mobster fresh off St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Mobster > Tyson.
The art work is commissioned by the goalie and there's no accounting for taste. Many colour coordinate their gear colours to their team colours. As a goalie myself, mine has no artwork. I guess after dropping $400.00—$600.00 on the mask, I didn't want to shell out another $300.00 or so for artwork, the gear is expensive, especially if you're playing.
miss lynster, the object of the goalie's position is to catch or deflect the puck, not get hit by it per se. The shape of the mask is important that the puck deflects, rather than smacks your helmet.
Mask maker and goalie Tony Priolo of Sportmask, used himself as a test dummy. See "Mask Testing" video clip, top LHS of page. A Boni Puck Shooting Machine was used. Scary, I wouldn't want to test the damn things that way myself.
Rumple, please, calling Ken Danby a serious artist is a joke. It's photorepresentational art, well done, but is it art¿ Not in my books. BTW, technically, that is poor positioning.
As for those masks of yore, I wouldn't play in one like that today. Aside from the curves of the sticks and the composite material, one piece, which add 10mph to a shot, the players are better trained and are larger and taller than days of yore. No more having a smoke on the bench during a game, you know¿ posted by alicesshoe at 7:30 PM on November 4, 2007 [3 favorites]
Wow furtive, those masks are awesome. Especially Plante and Rutherford. That crap they roll out these days can't hold a candle to any of those. posted by puke & cry at 7:32 PM on November 4, 2007
But yeah I wouldn't want to take a puck to the face wearing those old ones. You'd need major reconstructive surgery. posted by puke & cry at 7:38 PM on November 4, 2007
What's the coat of arms on Martin Biron (no. 7)'s mask? posted by jamesonandwater at 7:58 PM on November 4, 2007
Airbrushed on the side of the ideal goalie mask would be a hot chick in a fur bikini holding aloft a big sword. This mask would also have an orange shag interior. posted by Reggie Digest at 8:42 PM on November 4, 2007 [2 favorites]
Johnny Canuck brings a tear to my eye. Yes these goalie mask are often tasteless, but I've seen so many symbols of Canadian identity disappear over my lifetime - we seem to make an effort to wipe out anything that might make us distinct or a non-hyphenated nationality. I hope we can bring some more of it back.
While some of these modern masks are astonishingly cheesy, Martin Brodeur's mask looks pretty cool to me. Perhaps because he has nothing to prove anymore? My current fave is Martin "Darth" Gerber's from Ottawa. Straight-up all black mask, no markings. Intimidating as hell. posted by Hutch at 4:59 AM on November 5, 2007
If you have a chance, go to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. All of their goalie masks are in a display right at the entrance, no need to pay to see them - and many of them are way more stylish than those of today. posted by Vindaloo at 5:50 AM on November 5, 2007
And never mind the airbrushed fang-creatures and death's-heads - this and this (along with the original Plante, as mentioned by furtive above) are hardcore. posted by hangashore at 7:17 AM on November 5, 2007
I was struck by the contrast between the comically garish masks and the stark intensity of the faces of these young men. Unlike people in most photos, these guys aren't playing to the camera trying to look their best, their attention is utterly focused elsewhere and the resulting portraits are more compelling for me than posed studio shots.
jalexeiwrites"And while I agree 'lousy van art' sums up 99% of them aesthetically speaking, the beauty here (as ssmith noted) is that this is even possible in today's hyper-regimented pro sports environment, where in most cases you'll be sent back to the locker room for anything beyond a number or a set of initials sharpie-d on a cleat or the inside of a cap."
Pretty amazing really. Does any other top level professional sport give their players this kind of latitude? Besides wrestling? posted by Mitheral at 10:06 AM on November 5, 2007
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