Although Clint Benedict played around with a mask 30 years prior to Plantes historic day, it's Jacques who gets the nod as the innovator of the goalie mask.

He not only battled adversity of crowd heckling, but a coach who was clueless when it came to the art of puckstopping.

Plante endured. He stuck to his guns, and played with the mask on. Soon others followed, and other than the Gumper, goalies by the 70's were all donning facemasks.

If you're over the age of 40, chances are pretty good that YOU yourself wore his Fibrosport creations.

So, netminders, the next time you don your mask, a silent "Thank you Jacques" can be softly whispered unto the cold rinks air.

Tony Esposito wrote a chapter on the style of Butterfly goaltending in Plantes famous Goaltending book.

The mask had to evolve, as goalies were taking faster and harder shots from such players as Tony Espositos brother, Phil.

Have you seen the latest issue of Goalies' World Magazine? What a great job they do with the articles, photos, and such. My favorite part is the step-by-step photos they show of how a particular save is executed. It takes you frame by frame from the set-up to the recovery of the stop. Sooo cool!

Looking for a really nice paint job for your goalie mask?

Check out D.B. Mask Design!