Jacques Plante: Hockey’s Mask Hero

Fifty years ago, on November 1st, 1959 New York Rangers forward, Andy Bathgate drove the puck and nailed the bare face goalie shattering his nose requiring 200 stitches. Earlier in the game, Plante tripped the unsuspecting Bathgate, only to feel the ‘sting’ of his retaliation. During this era, goalies were not wearing protective face masks, it wasn’t macho in the NHL.

After having his face sewn back, Plante returned back to the game with his practice mask on. Coach Toe Blake relented and let his star goaltender back into the game but wanted no more of the mask as soon as Plante’s face healed. Blake was afraid that Plante was going to be too comfortable and not fear the puck any longer. The mask Plante led the Habs over the Rangers by a score of 3 to 1. And that Spring, he led the team to another Stanley Cup, all while wearing the mask.

Innovation & resourcefulness was his mantra. Plante designed and produced his masks for himself and fellow players. With his mask on he confidently moved with ease in the crease and outside of it. He was the first goaltender to move out of the crease to cut down angles, stop pucks & headman the puck to his teammates. Within his ‘office,’ he instructed his teammates from behind the play. This hockey revolutionary vastly improved the role of the goaltender. No wonder he was nicknamed, “Jake the Snake!”

Only one other goaltender, Clint Benedict experimented with a crude leather nose guard. That was only for two games in 1930 for the Montréal Maroons.

Many critics mocked him for his mask. Even the media labeled him a coward. Originally colored green, the fiberglass mask was changed to a fleshy hue to give it a less startling look. Unfazed, Plante never wavered and continued to develop and produce newer masks. He said it best, “When I take it off, I’ll also take off my skates. In other words, I’m wearing it now until I retire.”

It’s hard to believe at one time goaltender’s defended the net without facial protection. As Jacques Plante put his mask on, he changed the face of hockey forever!