Jacques Plante and the Introduction of the Goalie Mask
Jacques Plante was the
first goalie to ever wear a goalie mask. Jacues Plante was born on
January 17, 1929 in Shawingan Falls Quebec he died on February 27, 1986.
On November 1, 1959, Jacques Plante led the Montreal Canadians to
6 Stanley Cups (1953, 1956-60) he won 7 Vezina Trophy, M.V.P in 1962.
His injuries he had were a knee injury in 1960-61, another knee injury
in 1964-65, and had his torn cartilage in 1965. Jacques Plante was
traded with Don Marshall and Phil Goyette to the New York Rangers for G
Lorne Worsley. Drafted from New York Rangers by the St. Louis Blues,
June 1968, Traded by St. Louis to the Leafs in May 1970. Purchased
by the Leafs by Boston Bruins, March 1973. On November 1, 1959 Montreal
Canadian's goaltender Jacques Plante got smashed in the face by a puck.
It was the best thing that ever happened to goalies. Jacques Plante,
is one of the league's best goaltender, he had been hit by a slap
shot from New York Ranger Andy Bathgate. When his face started bleeding
he went to the locker room at the end of the period, he told the coach
Toe Blake he would not continue playing unless he could wear a mask.
Jacques Plante returned to the game later on wearing a mask. Now
of course goalies all over the world wear masks much better and more comfortable
than Jacques Plante original version.
The important thing that Jacques Plante did is that he got hit in the face with the puck and went to the locker room to get stitches on his face and then he returned wearing a goalie mask. Other goaltenders like Terry Sawchuk, Charlie Hodge, and Gerry cheevers followed Jacques Plante example.
I picked Jacques
Plante because he was the first goalie to wear a mask. Now it would
be very painful if you got hit in the face with a puck and you were not
wearing a goalie mask. If Jacuqes Plante did not wear a mask I think
now goalies would still not be wearing masks. This is why I picked
Jacques Plante as my Canadian hero.
by Bryan