Saving Face: The Art and History of the Goalie Mask

by Jim Hynes, Gary Smith, Gerry Cheevers (Foreword)

Who was the first goaltender to wear a mask in a game? Who was the last to go without one? When did goalies start painting their masks?

These are just a few of the questions that are answered in this definitive book on goalie masks. Saving Face looks at the development of the mask from its earliest days as a rudimentary face-saving device to its current high-tech design, bullet-proof construction, and cutting-edge artwork.

The book offers a visual journey, too. More than 150 historic and modern photos, including thirty-plus full-page shots of some of the most famous masks ever created, support a text that weaves the tale of the mask’s development.

Based on extensive archival research and exclusive interviews, Saving Face tells the story of the goalies behind the mask and their fight for the right to wear one. It also looks at the talented mask makers, artisans, and artists behind hockey’s modern masterpieces. This updated edition includes masks worn by some of the most exciting stars in the game today.

While goaltenders the world over owe a debt of thanks to those who created, developed, championed, and continuously improved the mask, hockey fans everywhere are thankful, too. For the mask today has gone far beyond its original function—saving face—to become the most intriguing piece of equipment in sports.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team.

Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

From Torpedoman aboard a submarine to writer in only 32 years. Between those two points I've been a farmer, a printer, then construction and RV repair.

Not knowing what I want to be when I grow up has had me reinventing myself around every seven years but writing has always been there. Since May of 2010 my wife Liesl and I have been full time RVer’s and Workampers wandering from place to place across this wonderful country. Finally a use for all the knowledge I gathered while figuring out what I want to do. I have gotten to know hundreds of people and have access to a wealth of characters. Alas, my Wife and first editor has passed but I’m still wandering and still writing.

Reviews

[David Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very earnest and sincere attempt to shine a light on the cultural impact the goalie mask has had on the sport of ice hockey and also the general public. It, the book, spends too many pages repeating itself and doubling back when it should be moving forward. It speaks often in generalities and assumptions when it could have been more specific and more in touch with its subject matter. It does a much better job at examining the modern goalie mask than it does the older, classic masks. Perhaps that's because the modern masks and their makers are still in circulation and easier to track. There were a lot of masks referred to but not illustrated which I found disappointing. There were photo illustrations without much background. In all it was a pleasing book to glance at but it needed about 100 more pages to truely capture the evolution of the mask. I would have liked to have seen a detailed guide to how masks were actually constructed although there are hobbyists on the internet who will gladly share their homemade recipes. An updated version of the book works be great as about 99% of the "active" goalies referred to in the final chapter are now out retired (Carey Price was mentioned once).

[Shaelei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and detailed book about the goalie mask.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool photos showing the evolution of goalie masks.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book for nhl goalie fans.

[Teebz Hbic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Saving Face can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.

[bamlinden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a goalie mask fanatic. Have been for the better part of 15 years. I love seeing new designs come out each year and jump when I see a rare unearthed photo of a vintage piece of fiberglass.

So you can guess I was a big fan of Saving Face when it originally came out in 2008. In fact, I own a copy of it. And I enjoyed looking at all the photos and even skimmed through the text. Yes....that's right, I didn't take the time to read the book. Until now.

Jim Hynes and Gary Smith do a very thorough job of guiding the reader through the history of the goalie mask. As someone who has read numerous articles and scratched and clawed to discover all I can about masks myself, there wasn't a ton of new material in this read. Still....nice photos.

It's a very simple, chronological telling of the 50+ year history and as a critique, the writing style is very simple. It feels like it is written at a grade 5-6 level reader. Not a lot of meat on the bone. As well, there are single page bios and sort of "fast facts" which are nice...but then the same text appears in the main body of the story. Too redundant. But still.....nice photos.

It's a good surface read but lacks any real in-depth history. Little to no quotes from actual goalies or mask makers, it's solely and author's depiction of the history. Which works...but didn't really do it for me.

But hey....nice photos.

[Katriena Knights · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more interesting than I expected, and the photography is great.