The Art of Ant Volume VII: Hockey Masks

Good Thursday morning, Uni Watch. I hope everyone had a serendipitous Wednesday.

I’m joined again today by Anthony “Ant” Giaccone. Several years ago, Ant was a contributor to my weekend articles, and recently returned with what was then his latest project: Baseball Cards. (For previous editions of the “Art of Ant,” check out Volume I. Volume II, Volume III, Volume IV, and Volume V.) Those articles provide a good back story of Anthony’s vision and techniques.

Here’s Ant!

• • • • •The Art of Vintage Hockey Masks
by Anthony Giaccone

These vintage hockey goalie masks from the 1970s and ’80s hail from an era when masks were more than just protective gear — they were statements.

Crafted from fiberglass and molded to fit each goalie’s face, these masks offered a snug fit but minimal protection by today’s standards. With no metal cages, just a thin shell stood between a goalie and a blistering 100mph slapshot.

But what truly made these masks iconic wasn’t just the risk — it was the artistry. Goalies transformed them into canvases, painting fierce designs to express their personalities, intimidate opponents, or embody their team spirit. From stitched-up nightmare visages to blazing flames and snarling mascots, each mask told a story — part warrior, part myth.

Modern helmets are undeniably safer, but they’ll never capture the raw, fearless personality of these classics.

…and they were freakin’ cool as f**k.

These illustrations are my take on showcasing 8 of the coolest old-school hockey mask designs.

And as always, please follow me on Instagram — art_x_ant — Anthony Giaccone.

Enjoy!

__________Gerry Cheevers

Cheevers is legendary for his goalie mask — arguably one of the most iconic in sports history. As the story goes, one day in practice, he took a puck to the face and left the ice. The team trainer, mocking him, drew stitches on his fiberglass mask where the puck hit. Cheevers liked the look and kept adding stitch marks for every time he would’ve been hit without the mask. The result was a haunting, stitched-up mask that looked like something out of a horror movie — and it became a symbol of hockey toughness and goalie culture. His mask wasn’t just protective gear; it was a story of every battle he faced in the crease.

__________Ken Dryden

Dryden’s mask was a classic fiberglass face-hugging mask (precursor to the modern cage-style helmet). The mask I illustrated was painted white with red and blue trim — subtly reflecting the Canadiens’ colors. This mask was not overly detailed or aggressive — just clean and minimal. While earlier in his career he wore a completely plain white mask (most famously during the 1971 playoffs), the later red-white-blue version became associated with his prime years in Montreal and today is considered a timeless and iconic design.

__________Murray Bannerman

Murray Bannerman’s Chicago Blackhawks mask is one of the most striking and memorable goalie masks of the early 1980s — a vivid example of how goalies began turning their protective gear into fierce, personal, and artistic statements. This mask was painted to resemble the Blackhawks’ logo and identity. It looked alive on the ice — fierce, symbolic, and unforgettable. It turned Bannerman’s face into a moving emblem of the Blackhawks themselves.

__________Wayne Stephenson

Wayne Stephenson’s Philadelphia Flyers mask is a fascinating piece of hockey history — not just for its look, but for what it represents: a blend of practicality, team identity, and the rising trend of goalie mask personalization during the mid-1970s. Painted in Flyers orange and white, mirroring the team’s color scheme, it featured a stylized “winged” look that gave it an aerodynamic, aggressive feel. The look was bold and clean, a perfect match for the Broad Street Bullies era of the Flyers — tough, no-nonsense, and proud of their identity

__________John Davidson

John Davidson’s New York Rangers mask is one of the most instantly recognizable and beloved goalie masks from the late 1970s. It perfectly captured the spirit of the team and the era — bold, clean, and unapologetically representative of the franchise. Davidson’s mask featured a stylized version of the Rangers’ “shield” logo, placed on the sides of the mask. The blue base color with red and white accents matched the Rangers’ jersey colors. The graphic simplicity made a huge impact as it was visually clean, which made it easy to recognize on TV and in photos, helping solidify it as a fan favorite.

__________Mike Palmateer

Mike Palmateer’s Toronto Maple Leafs mask is a classic example of the blend of flash, flair, and fierce team pride that defined goalie mask design in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Much like Palmateer himself, the mask was bold, eye-catching, and unmistakably Toronto. The design was clean and symmetrical, giving it a crisp, stylized look. His mask essentially turned his face into the team’s logo, something rarely done with such confidence at the time. Visually unforgettable, the high contrast and simplicity made it a favorite among fans and collectors. Palmateer’s mask is frequently cited in “best goalie masks of all time” lists not because it was the most artistic, but because it nailed the balance between team identity and aesthetic clarity. It became part of his personal brand, especially when he transitioned to a long career in broadcasting, where his playing days — and that mask — remained part of his mystique.

__________Curt Ridley

Curt Ridley’s goalie mask, worn during his tenure with the Vancouver Canucks in the mid-1970s, stands out as one of the most distinctive and memorable designs of its era. Crafted by renowned mask maker Greg Harrison, Ridley’s mask featured a bold, stylized version of the Canucks’ “stick-in-rink” logo, with two crossed hockey sticks forming an “X” across his face. The design was painted on a white fiberglass base, creating a striking visual that resonated with fans and collectors alike. A truly stunning and beautiful design.

__________Jim Rutherford

In 1974, after being traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Detroit Red Wings, Jim Rutherford sought to modify his existing blue mask to align with his new team’s colors. He entrusted the task to mask maker Greg Harrison, who, without prior approval, added two red wings over the eye holes, creating a stylized version of the Red Wings’ logo. Initially displeased with the design, Rutherford wore the mask during a game and, after receiving positive feedback, embraced it. This mask is now recognized as one of the first to feature a painted design, influencing the evolution of goalie mask artistry. Rutherford’s mask marked a pivotal moment in hockey history, inspiring other goalies to personalize their masks. The trend of incorporating team logos and personal artwork into goalie masks became widespread, leading to the colorful and creative designs seen in the NHL today.

• • • • •Thanks, Ant! Great stuff once again. Having grown up and become a big hockey fan (much bigger than I am now) when most of those masks were worn, you truly picked a great representative sample of the first real artwork to appear on goalie masks. Things got a bit more creative just after that early era, and I always loved Billy Smith’s custom orange, white and blue beauty. Goalie masks have obviously come a long way since the 1970s.

What say you, readers? If you were around in that era (or even if you weren’t), did Ant capture the beauty of those early masks? Did any of you ever play goalie in an era when these style masks were around?