Question Archive       Parents Ask the Vet       Tell Us Your Story       Women's Game
	Q: A goalie on our team wears a regular helmet with a plastic facemask, and I worry that this will not be enough protection if he is hit with a slapshot. Am I right? A: Now, we can't give you a scientific answer to your question, but we can comment with the support of one of our partner's 20+ years of goaltending experience. Growing up over the years, you may have seen a goalie or two using a clear plastic mask. At younger ages where hard shots aren't a significant matter, using one of these masks isn't that frowned upon. However, as a goalie gets older, they should really get away from using such a mask. At the Bantam level, we'd suggest that a goalie switch from using one of these masks. They aren't designed to take repeated direct shots to the head. Thus, they are fine for the occasional impact that a player might encounter, but they aren't the safest option for a goalie. That's why you don't see NHLers wearing this type of mask. As a Bantam, I've had hard enough shots to bend a steel mask. Now a days, the trend is for a goalie to wear a combination of the molded mask and wired cage. This is the type of mask that most of the pros now where....although Hasek still prefers a helmet. These masks have a wide visual area and provide significant protection. The puck tends to slide off this style of mask. With the shape of a helmet and plastic mask, the puck has nowhere to slide. The plastic mask has to absorb the full impact of the shot.       With all this said and done, we'd say that your hunch was right. Your goalie's mask will provide him protection, but it isn't the best or safest option.
a project © 1999 DavidSport Inc. All Rights Reserved.