The Best Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Masks of the Modern Era

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had no shortage of art on display in their nets over the years.

Goalie masks have been around since 1959, when Jaques Plante famously returned to action wearing one after taking a puck to the face. More than 100 goalies have suited up as a Toronto Maple Leafs goalie throughout their over 100-year history, leaving no lack of painted protection to look back on.

As an original six franchise their logo will forever be immortalized, but it’s also undeniable simplistic.

Many of the team’s past goalies have relied so heavily on stamping the Maple Leaf all over their fibreglass face as its main focus, that they ultimately failed to express anything about who they were behind the cage.

Being unique should be encouraged.

The Toronto Maple Leafs goalies that let their personalities shine through alongside their passion in playing for this team certainly elevated their personas.

It’s one thing to respect the organization’s tradition, but the goalies that found a way to embed themselves within it brought their folklore to a whole new level.

In 1991, a new era of expansion began in the NHL. Coincidentally, the typical goalie mask we’re most familiar with today was also quickly becoming the standard around the league. With that, we’ll focus on the design innovations and creative expressions that have evolved since, highlighting Toronto’s best styles along the way.

Some of the following mask designs were altered with slight modifications throughout the respective goalie’s years as a member of the Maple Leafs, but the overall look and theme were generally maintained.

Here are Toronto’s top five goalie masks throughout modern times.