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Brave Face: Wild Tales of Hockey Goaltenders in the Era Before Masks
A fascinating and immersive chronicle of hockey's original maskless warriors
More than 400 stitches decorated Terry Sawchuk's face during his 16 years as a goaltender in the National Hockey League, the result of high-speed collisions and slapshots that whizzed directly at his skull. All in a day's work for an elite goalie of his era.
Before facemasks became standard equipment in the 1960s and '70s, men like Sawchuk, Glenn Hall, and Jacques Plante—the first goalie to ever wear a mask in the NHL—put their bodies on the line in the name of hockey, enduring broken bones, damaged organs, and even psychological turmoil.
In this thoroughly researched book, Rob Vanstone illuminates the stories of these intrepid warriors while examining how the goaltender position has changed throughout the decades. As masks evolved from ghoulish-looking creations not out of place in horror films to today's caged helmets with custom artwork, goalies' body positioning and tactics were similarly transformed along with NHL regulations.
Told with charm and verve, this is an essential portrait of a uniquely brutal and harrowing chapter in hockey history.
More than 400 stitches decorated Terry Sawchuk's face during his 16 years as a goaltender in the National Hockey League, the result of high-speed collisions and slapshots that whizzed directly at his skull. All in a day's work for an elite goalie of his era.
Before facemasks became standard equipment in the 1960s and '70s, men like Sawchuk, Glenn Hall, and Jacques Plante—the first goalie to ever wear a mask in the NHL—put their bodies on the line in the name of hockey, enduring broken bones, damaged organs, and even psychological turmoil.
In this thoroughly researched book, Rob Vanstone illuminates the stories of these intrepid warriors while examining how the goaltender position has changed throughout the decades. As masks evolved from ghoulish-looking creations not out of place in horror films to today's caged helmets with custom artwork, goalies' body positioning and tactics were similarly transformed along with NHL regulations.
Told with charm and verve, this is an essential portrait of a uniquely brutal and harrowing chapter in hockey history.
- GenresHockey
256 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 14, 2024
I enjoyed all the references to Regina. It's nice having a relatable book being from the city myself. Was able to watch Bedsy myself, so I like Vanstones touch there.
I feel like a bit more of the comedy could have been added. A lot of it came towards the end, so that's a critique, I guess.
And lastly, the Jim Hopson touch is nice, I finished the book a week after his passing, and just seeing that he read this book is heartwarming!
I feel like a bit more of the comedy could have been added. A lot of it came towards the end, so that's a critique, I guess.
And lastly, the Jim Hopson touch is nice, I finished the book a week after his passing, and just seeing that he read this book is heartwarming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2024
excellent, well researched journey through the history of maskless pro goalies.....very enjoyable.
July 29, 2025
Very interesting book about the pre-mask era for goaltenders.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews