The start of a new NHL season means seeing a lot of new things, whether it be new players, coaches, line combinations, or even jerseys. But nothing compares to seeing what new equipment the goalies are rocking for the upcoming year.
Hockey is unique in the sports world for having a position that customize basically it’s entire equipment separate from the team. The part that allows for the most customization is the goalie mask, since it is basically free reign for a goalie to show his personality.
For this year’s Edmonton Oilers, new goalie Devon Levi made waves with his new mask, a nod to Oilers’ legend Grant Fuhr:
But where does this beautiful mask rank all time amongst Oilers’ netminders? Let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at some of the best the team has had to offer.
Grant Fuhr
Obviously if a mask is being paid tribute to, it has to be considered one of the best. After all, Levi isn’t the first Oilers goalie to do so. Mike Smith did it a few years ago, with the cool little touch of having it look like Fuhr was actually wearing it.
Another goalie paid tribute to Fuhr a while back too, one who is a little less of a household name: Anders Nilsson. If you look at that one though, you probably noticed it looks a little different than the Levi or Smith ones.
Well that would be because it wasn’t based on the Fuhr’s “mask,” the term we call the goalie helmet these days. Rather, it was based on the legitimate mask Fuhr wore at the beginning of his career:
The design is super cool, and the fact that it is an actual mask gives it just that much more aura.
Tommy Salo
Everyone likes a mask with some personality and recognizability to it, and Salo had his own flair for his bucket. The viking was a nod to his Swedish heritage, and it honestly just looks super cool. Mind you, he did have a super cool gold mask too, but the lack of viking means it can’t compare.
Curtis Joseph
Speaking about a recognizable mask, one of the most iconic masks in hockey history has to be Curtis “Cujo” Joseph’s.
He took the nickname from Stephen King’s novel to heart, and adapted the demon dog to not just multiple teams, but multiple jerseys:
Mikko Koskinen third jersey mask
Mikko Koskinen’s time as an Oiler was mercurial, to say the least. He probably got a bit too much hate for a goalie who posted a 0.907 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average in his 164 games with the team.
But his mask matching the Oilers neon orange/navy third jersey more than makes up for any holes in his game.
Mike Smith’s bucket tribute
We talked about Smith’s tribute mask to Fuhr, but his tribute to the old Cooper goalie helmet is something else:
Does it match the jerseys? No. Does it even look good? Debateable. But as someone who misses the days of Hasek and Osgood, I have a very soft spot for this design. Plus, painting actual ears and strap onto the helmet? Talk about commitment to the bit.
Ben Scrivens
Like Koskinen, Scrivens’ Oilers career had its ups and downs. But also like Koskinen, Scrivens showed that a simple mask can still be a great, memorable mask. The inverting of the blue and orange of the Oilers logo along with the blue cage is beautiful, and frankly makes one think that an inverse logo could be something to consider in the future for the team.
Connor Ingram
There is something endearing about the handdrawn-looking mask, and it certainly is a nice change of pace from the overly airbrushed masks that are all over the league. It’s just too bad we only got half a season with this beautiful mask, and even more beautiful human. Best of luck in retirement, Ingram!
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There are plenty other nice and/or iconic masks that could have been included for sure, but these are some of the best, or at least most unique. Let us know in the comments which Oilers’ goalie’s mask is your favourite!
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