Top 5 Best Looking Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Masks of All-Time
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had many goalies throughout their storied history, and many have boasted eye-popping masks.
As hard as it is to believe today, goalies in the NHL – such as Toronto Maple Leafs all-time great Johnny Bower – didn’t always wear masks.
Every hockey fan knows of the iconic stitches that Gary Cheevers painted on his mask in the early seventies, and ever since then, the art of the goalies mask has been an integral part of the NHL experience.
From hockey card sub-sets to McDonald’s replica’s that came in happy meals, goalie masks have been an interesting sub-culture of the NHL for years.
Today I count down my top 5 favorite goalie masks in Toronto Maple Leafs history.
Before we dive into the list, I highly recommend that you check out some of our other articles such as,
If you enjoy this countdown, check out my list of the top 5 defensemen in Leafs history.
No. 5 – Mike Palmateer
Coming in at number five is this simplistic yet beautiful mask sported by legendary netminder Mike Palmateer.
During his 296-game run in this bucket, which is the fourth highest amount of games played by any Leafs goalie, Palmateer would post a .892 save percentage, which was very respectable for the era (1977-1984).
Palmateer is fifth all-time in wins for the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Quanthockey.com).
Additionally, the Toronto native would finish top-10 in league wide saves, wins, and games-played as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Hockey Reference)
The iconic blue background set behind a massive white leaf calls back to an era dominated by pop-art and is amazingly simple.
Overall the mask sports a timely and effective design that completes a memorable look.
No. 4 – Ben Scrivens
Scrivens sported one of the nicest masks ever made during his only full season as a Maple Leaf.
During this single season, Scrivens posted a respectable .915 save percentage in 20 games. This solid performance completed an unexpectedly solid tandem with James Reimer that led the Leafs to (a rather forgettable) playoff berth in 2013. (Hockey Reference).
In total, Scrivens got into 32 games for the Leafs – the same amount as Curtis MacElhinney – and only 48 other goalies have played more!
Now on to the mask itself.
Much like Palmateer’s iconic mask, Scrivens boasts a simple yet powerful design. The white canvas is covered by hypnotic layers of the various Toronto Maple Leafs logos.
The helmet, much like Scrivens, is unfairly forgotten and should be recognized more often.
No. 3 – Tom Barrasso
Barrasso is not particularly remembered for his time in the blue & white, as the three-time All Star and two-time Stanley Cup champion joined the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2002 trade deadline.
Barrasso, 36 at the time, only appeared in four regular-season games for the Leafs (he went 2-2) and posted a .909 save percentage. (Hockey Reference).
You may recall that 2002 was the fourth time in a ten year span that the Leafs made the final four. They lost to the Carolina Hurricanes that year, but Tom Barrasso was not a factor, despite his incredibly sweet mask.
Although his time in Toronto was short, Tom Barrasso left a mark…with his mask. White leafs sprawled across the metallic blue mask, mimicking the growth of a tree. This simplistic yet iconic look that makes for an unappreciated classic.
No. 2 – Felix Potvin
Potvin has sported this classic design for the entirety of his NHL career.
Is it some kind of Leafs and Cat hybrid? Hard to say, but it looks cool.
The most memorable look coming from his days as a Leaf. During his eight year tenure in Toronto, Potvin strutted out this mask 369 times, posting a combined .908 save percentage in the process. (Hockey Reference).
Potvin finished his Leafs career third in both wins and games played, while his 12 shut-outs are good for 11th all-time.
Free-flowing, pointed lines complete an animalistic white & black two-tone design that dominates a flat blue mask.
The mask itself is supposed to be a cat which is in reference to his nickname “Felix the Cat”. At least we assume, as it’s somewhat impressionistic!
Regardless of creature or entity, Potvin’s mask is a fantastically vintage throwback to the very gothic 1990’s.
No. 1 – Curtis Joseph
One of the most iconic masks in NHL history, Curtis Joseph’s ‘Cujo’ bucket accompanied him during both of his stints in Toronto.
During his five year tenure in Toronto, Joseph appeared in 270 games, posting a combined .910 save percentage.
Additionally, the Ontario native played in 60 playoff games with the Leafs, where he posted an incredible .919 save percentage. (Hockey Reference).
Joseph is fifth all-time in games played for the franchise, and is unquestionably one of the best goalies to ever wear the blue and white.
The blue mask depicts a massive, white snarling dog that pays tribute to Stephen King’s famous possessed dog ‘Cujo’ from the book of the same name.
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Not overly complicated nor exhaustively simplistic, this all-time classic provides the perfect blend of personalization and team influence.