NHL's Best Goalie Masks

This slideshow is my view on some of the best goalie masks that have been worn in the NHL.  Everyone will have different views, and I'm sure I'll miss some classics and ones people want, but these are ones that I have grown up loving.

The goalie mask is a blank canvas on which the goalie can fully express themselves.  Whether that's from favourite musicians like Sean Burke and Jason La Barbera's Jimmy Page and Metallica themes to nickname themed masks like Antero "Nitty" Niitymaki 's gangster or Johan "Moose" Heberg's moose theme.

The masks are in no particular order—that would be an impossible task.

Mike Richter-New York Rangers

Harry How/Getty Images

TORONTO - OCTOBER 26: Goaltender Mike Richter #35 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL game at The Air Canada Centre on October 26, 2002 in Toronto, Ontario. The Rangers defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3. (Photo b

An absolute classic mask.  Encompasses the team and city perfectly.  Faultless.

Johan Hedberg-Atlanta Thrashers

Andy Marlin/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 02: Goaltender Johan Hedberg #1 of the Atlanta Thrashers looks on against the New York Islanders during the game at the Nassau Coliseum on January 02, 2010 in Uninodale, New York. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images)

Hedberg's masks never disappoint.  You could choose anyone of his masks and they're all great.  From Indiana Jones to Pirates of The Caribbean.  This one is a Sponge Bob Square Pants themed one.

John Vanbiesbrouck-Florida Panthers

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

18 Dec 1997: Goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck of the Florida Panthers stands on the ice during a game against the Washington Capitals at the M.C.I. Center in Washington, D. C. The Panthers won the game 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport

This mask is the image that got me into ice hockey.  It was featured on the front of NHL 97 and at the age of seven this gripped me in the game store.  It is simply amazing.  The colours are great and it embodies the team perfectly.  The best mask in franchise history and one of the top ever in my books.

Curtis Joseph-Toronto Maple Leafs

Joseph kept the same helmet design throughout his career, but his Toronto one is the best.  Looks fierce and the blue makes it look that bit more special.  Sums up Joseph's CuJo nickname.

Gerry Cheevers-Boston Bruins

Another classic mask.  The stitches were apparently for every time he was hit in the mask with a puck.  It became iconic and was named the greatest mask by The Hockey News. 

Patrick Lalime-Ottawa Senators

Features Marvin the Martian from Looney Tunes.  Fits brilliantly with the team.  Those eyes really look great staring down at the shooter.

Nikolai Khabibulin-Edmonton Oilers

Jimmy Jeong/Getty Images

EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 3: Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin #35 of the Edmonton Oilers takes a break in a game between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game on October 3, 2009 at Rexall Arena in Edmonton, Canada. The Flames defeated the Oi

Khabibulin has had the design at most clubs, but Edmonton's is that bit better. 

Has an oil tower on the front with oil bursting out, a double headed eagle, Russia's national emblem, holds classic Oiler masks like Grant Fuhr's and finally Khabibulin's nickname scrawled across the front, Bulin Wall, with a brick wall.  Great design.

Gilles Gratton-New York Rangers

Another iconic mask.  Imposing, fierce.  Couldn't ask for much more.

Jacques Plante-Montreal Canadiens

The one that started it all, enough said.

Murray Bannerman-Chicago Blackhawks

Fantastic idea to put the logo on the mask and give it a Japanese samurai look.  Stunning design.

Niklas Backstrom-Minnesota Wild

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 25: Niklas Backstrom #32 of the Minnesota Wild tends net against the New York Islanders on March 25, 2009 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

An eagle adorns the opposite side.  Both look menacing and make it a very good looking mask.

Rick DiPietro-New York Islanders

Andy Marlin/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - OCTOBER 23: Goaltender Rick DiPietro #39 of the New York Islanders looks on against the Dallas Stars during the game at the Nassau Coliseum on October 23, 2008, in Uninodale, New York. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images)

DiPietro chooses to honour the US armed forces on his masks due to his father serving.  Always have great designs on and they obviously mean a lot.

Ken Dryden-Montreal Canadiens

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

CIRCA 1970: Goaltender Ken Dryden #29 of the Montreal Canadiens stands on the ice during a game in Circa 1970 (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Another iconic mask.  Seems to define an era.

Cristobal Huet-Chicago Blackhawks

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 19: Goalie Cristobal Huet #39 of the Chicago Blackhawks, looks on against the Ottawa Senators in a game at Scotiabank Place on January 19, 2010 in Ottawa, Canada. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1.(Photo by Phil

Reminiscent of Jeff Hackett's mask from the 90s.  Headdress feathers and a dream catcher with the Blackhawks logo on the side looks great.

Dominik Hasek-Detroit Red Wings

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, CANADA- JANUARY 12: Dominik Hasek #39 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on in warm-ups against the Ottawa Senators during their NHL game on January 12, 2008 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

What was usually a boring mask became a lot more interesting when Hasek added a cartoon version of the Red Wings logo and had "Hockeytown" plastered on the front.  Simple, but cool.

Ed Belfour-Dallas Stars

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

TORONTO - MARCH 16: Goaltender Ed Belfour #20 of the Dallas Stars stands on the ice during the NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Stars and Maple Leafs tied 5-5. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty I

Belfour's nickname is Eddie the Eagle.  He had this design everywhere he went, but his Dallas version with the gold looks great.

Henrik Lundqvist-New York Rangers

Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 3: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers prepares for face off during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden on October 3, 2009 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Senators 5-2. (Photo by Ch

Lundqvist changes his helmet every year but keeps pretty much to the same design.  This one has the Statue of Liberty's head one side and the team logo on the other and his number 30 on the chin.  A new addition are the Tre Kroner in the middle.  Simple, but very nice.

Semyon Varlamov-Washington Capitals

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

WASHINGTON DC, DC - APRIL 23: Semyon Varlamov #40 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on April 23, 2010 in

One side has Mount Rushmore, the other the Russian double-headed eagle.  Great blend and looks brilliant.

Olaf Kolzig-Washington Capitals

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

17 Mar 1999: Goallie Olaf Kolzig of the Washington Capitals looking on during the game against the Dallas Stars at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Capitals defeated the Stars 2-1.

Kolzig's nickname was "Zilla," so he had Godzilla on his mask and nickname across the chin.  Always looked good.

David Aebischer-Colorado Avalanche

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - JANUARY 03: Goaltender David Aebischer #1 of the Colorado Avalanche had 32 saves in a shutout as the Avalanche defeated the Predators 3-0 during NHL action on January 3, 2006 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Get

Aebischer went with a yeti design.  Great look and goes well with the Avalanche's alternate logo of the yeti foot.

Tim Thomas-Boston Bruins

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 23: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins defends his net against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 23, 2008 in Newark, New Jersey. The Bruins defeated the Devils 2-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Thomas' "mage," as it is known, features a bear claw and fierce head and the Bruins logo.  Colours are great and not only fits with the team but also Thomas' hunting pastime.

Roman Turek-Dallas Stars

Vincent Laforet/Getty Images

15 Jan 1999: Roman Turek of the Dallas Stars looks on during the game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The Stars defeated the Ducks 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport

Turek is a massive fan of Iron Maiden and their mascot Eddie.  This Dallas version is the best one.

Martin Biron-New York Rangers

This mask is still to be debuted.  It will be worn with the new Rangers Heritage jersey and harks back to Gilles Gratton's mask already featured.  A great tribute with a nice new take.  I think I prefer this to the original, especially with the anniversary logo on.  Fantastic.

Marty Turco-Dallas Stars

Marc Piscotty/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 7: Goaltender Marty Turco #30 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches the Colorado Avalanche players warm up as he stretches during pregame warmups at the Pepsi Center on October 7, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Marc Piscotty/Getty Im

Turco had this design in Dallas and some of the white versions were great, but this new away mask for the Blackhawks is amazing.  The gargoyles look much more menacing the use of the alternate Blackhawks logo is great.

Antero Niitymaki-San Jose Sharks

Niitymaki's nickname is "Nitty" after Frank Nitti, one of Al Capone's henchmen.  Ken Hitchcock gave the goalie the nickname in Philadelphia and it's stuck.  He used to have gangsters on his helmet, but now has these great gangster sharks.

Brian Hayward-San Jose Sharks

Not much to say.  It's a shark ready to bite.  Great.

Grant Fuhr-Edmonton Oilers

Another iconic mask.  Simple design but looks amazing.

Dwayne Roloson-Edmonton Oilers

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL- MARCH 10: Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Edmonton Oilers skates with play stopped during the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 10, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (

"Roli," as he's known, wore this his last year in Edmonton.  It features an oil tower on one side bursting with oil and the other shows a worker, looking very much like the former alternate logo, carrying an oil barrel.  Great design the way that "Roli" has been written into the Oilers logo.

Mikael Tellqvist-Phoenix Coyotes

Tellqvist had a great helmet honouring Thomas Steen and Bobby Hull, stars with Phoenix's former guise, the Winnipeg Jets.  This Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner inspired mask is just brilliant.  The colours are great and it's a genius idea.  One of the best ever in my opinion simply for its brilliance and uniqueness.

Andrew Raycroft-Toronto Maple Leafs

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

TORONTO - SEPTEMBER 24: Andrew Raycroft #1 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on during the NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at the Air Canada Centre on September 24, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Raycroft was a let down in Toronto, but his helmet was amazing.  It paid homage to some Toronto greats and to Maple Leafs Garden.  Brilliant stuff.

Steve Shields-Boston Bruins

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 12: Goaltender Steve Shields #31 of the Boston Bruins looks on against the Buffalo Sabres during their NHL game on November 12, 2002 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images/NHLI)

Shields chose to honour Gerry Cheevers.  Fantastic idea and works brilliantly.

Martin Gerber-Ottawa Senators

This mask came about after Gerber's previous mask was waiting to be painted and he wore an all black mask.  Fans starting calling him "Darth Gerber," so the next season he donned a Darth Vader inspired helmet.  Great idea and looks fantastic. 

Jacob Markstrom-Florida Panthers

Markstrom is the best prospect in the Panthers organisation and one of the premiere prospects in the league.  He plays in the AHL, but could see action this year, and as I'm a Panthers fan, I wanted to include his mask.  It looks incredible. 

Painted by Henrik Lundqvist's designer, the similarities are obvious with the use of two of the club's logos.  I absolutely love this mask and hope to see it in action soon. 

Steve Valiquette-New York Rangers

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 11: Goaltender Steve Valiquette #40 of the New York Rangers watches against the Anaheim Ducks during their game on October 11, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Valiquette is clearly a fan of Spiderman.  To put Spiderman's mask on his mask is a great idea and it looks brilliant with a slight Rangers touch as well.

Pekka Rinne-Nashville Predators

The mask features a sabre tooth tiger with a battered goalie mask with plasters and cracks everywhere.  Looks absolutely brilliant.  Again this is designed by the guy who does Lundqvist's, Tellqvist's and Markstrom's masks among countless others in the NHL.

Steve Valiquette-New York Rangers

This mask was made for the 50th anniversary of the goalie mask being invented by Jacques Plante in 1959.  Amazing.

Steve Valiquette-New York Rangers

The other side of the mask paying tribute to Mike Richter's mask.

Henrik Lundqvist-New York Rangers

Lundqvist's anniversary mask.  Another great mask.

Henrik Lundqvist-New York Rangers

Lundqvist's mask pays tribute to John Davidson's mask.  Another nice twist.

Patrick Roy-Colorado Avalanche

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 27: Goaltender Patrick Roy #33 of the Colorado Avalanche prepares for play against the Philadelphia Flyers during pregame December 27, 2002, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Flyers won 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Brian Bah

Simple, but effective design from the greatest goaltender ever.

Patrick Roy-Montreal Canadiens

Another simple design that works.  I actually have this mask so its definitely going on the list.