Hockey gears in modern days

Modern day hockey players have highly sophisticated equipment which has been designed to offer maximum protection to the players, while also being flexible and light weight to give them optimal comfort.

Introduction of goalie masks

Clint Benedict, a goaltender who had his nose shattered by a tremendous shot in 1930, was the first goalie to wear face protection. However, after two games, he removed his leather mask since it obstructs his eyesight.

On November 1st, 1959, Montreal Canadiens goalkeeper Jacques Plante became the first goaltender to wear facial protection on a constant basis. Plante was hit in the face by a strong shot during a game against the New York Rangers, injuring his cheek and nose. He was promptly patched up and returned to the ice, wearing his custom-made fiberglass mask that he had only worn during practice. His coach was hesitant to let him wear the mask at the time, and onlookers mocked him, questioning his toughness.

Following an 18-game winning streak, the face protection became widely accepted, and goalies all throughout the league began to wear it. Some goaltenders, on the other hand, chose not to wear masks until March 31, 1973, which was the last occasion a goalkeeper played without one.

Hockey gear post World War II

After WWII, the growth of the plastics and fiberglass industries led to the replacement of previously used leather shoulder and elbow pads with plastic and fiberglass. These were meant to protect the player who was wearing them, but they quickly proved to be deadly to rival players.

Although this enhanced protection is beneficial to the wearer, NHL president Clarence Campbell noted in 1950 that the main danger lies with the opponent who is attacked by this thick armor. As a result, he stressed the importance of re-examining protective gear and removing anything that could endanger other players.

In the 1950-51 season, a new regulation was implemented to reduce the number of injuries caused by elbows. To reduce impact, all elbow and shoulder pads were required to have a soft outer coating. In addition, a new rule was implemented that imposed severe penalties on players who wounded others with their elbows.

During the 1955-56 season, Lippmans Tool Shop in Detroit created a new elbow pad that had a soft sponge rubber covering over the plastic and was first worn by Detroit Red Wings players.

Hockey gears new guideline put in place

NHL president Clarence Campbell introduced a new policy for equipment manufacturers in June 1958, stating that all new equipment must first be certified by the NHL rules committee to verify that it is safe for both the wearer and the opponent.

After Montreal Canadiens star Bernie Geoffrion's tendon in the back of his leg was cut when he collided with another player's skate in 1959, CCM began designing a new sort of leg protection. CCM introduced their new lightweight leg protection in 1961, which was manufactured from the same material used in shrapnel vests during the Korean War. One of the first items of protective gear approved by the NHL rules committee was this innovative shin guard, which wrapped over the back of the leg and provided full protection against blades. In 1961, CCM produced a new skate with a strong plastic coating on the heel to further protect players from tendon injuries caused by skates.

Helmets became necessary for all NHL players who signed their first contract after June 1, 1979 in 1979. However, it was not required for all players who had signed their first contract before this date. Craig MacTavish, who retired in 1997, was the last player to play without a helmet.

Gear advancement in the 80’s

In 1980, the Cooperall, a new pant system that was 80 percent lighter than prior NHL pants and provided greater protection to players, was invented. It was constructed of nylon and covered the players' lower rib cage from above their knees to their lower rib cage. The NHL only employed this technique for two years because the material caused short-cuff gloves to rip more easily and caused players to slide uncontrolled when they fell on the ice.

In 1988, a new glove was introduced with shorter cuffs, removing the prior wrist protection but allowing players to better control their sticks. As a result of the removal of earlier wrist protection, gear makers began making longer elbow pads that extended all the way down to the wrists for added protection.

The all-star game in 2007 included one of the most recent advancements in protective hockey gear. The Rbk EDGE Uniform System was created in collaboration with Reebok and the NHL. It was made out of four different fabrics to provide optimum protection while remaining lightweight and dryer than ever before.