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On November 1, 1959, the goalie for the Montreal Canadians, Jacques Plante, was hit in the face by a shot from New York Ranger, Andy Bathgate. Plante was not wearing a mask, which was very common and normal back then. After being stitched up and refusing to play without a mask, Plante returned to the ice, wearing a face hugging mask. This would prove to be a very important moment in hockey history, even though at the time, Plante was actually laughed at for wearing the mask. Many questioned his dedication and his fearlessness. However, as time went on, the goalie mask became accepted and eventually mandatory. Two things goalies realized about the mask, first was the most obvious in that it protected their face and improved their play. Second and most important, they realized they could put some awesome, cool and badass designs on it. Here is a look at 15 of the most incredible hockey goalie masks of all time.

15) Steve Valiquette - Spider-Man

via:www.sportscardforum.com

Steve Valiquette is a crime fighter known as Spider-Man…er…was a goalie for the New York Rangers. His goalie mask is one of the most underrated masks, possibly because of his short career. Regardless, the mask is impressive and featured the web slinging Spider-Man.

14) Jonathan Quick - Battle Armour

Jonathan Quick plays for the Los Angeles Kings and with them, he has won two Stanley Cups, in 2012 and 2014. He is also a silver medal winner at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He has had several awesome, unique and very cool goalie masks. So many that he should have his own list. His masks range from patriotic to simple and intimidating.

13) Ed Belfour - The Eagle

Ed Belfour is known for his skills, ability and the fact that he really, really likes eagles. He has played for several teams including, the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. His goalie mask would feature an eagle on every team he played for. He once said, "I've always liked the eagle as a bird. It is a strong figure representing individuality, leadership, confidence and outstanding vision...." He was soon nicknamed "Eddie the Eagle". His other nickname is "Crazy Eddie", due to his reported off ice antics.

12) Ken Dryden - Montreal Canadians

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It's simple, basic and crude, yet it's possibly one of the most horrifying hockey masks of all time. Imagine, skating down the ice with everything a player has left, only to look up and see the eyes of Ken Dryden peering back through that expressionless and terrifying mask. Despite being considered one of the all time great goaltenders, he actually had a short career, playing seven seasons. He won several Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadians and in his first year, 1971, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy for Most Valuable Player.

11) Henrik Lundqvist - Statue Of Liberty

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Henrik Lundqvist  is a Swedish hockey player who plays for the New York Rangers. He is known for his athleticism and tremendous quickness. Last year, Lundqvist played a major role in bringing his Rangers to the Stanley cup finals. "The King", as he is referred to by many, has had several impressive goalie masks, but one of his most unique features the Statue of Liberty.

10) Jean Sebastian Giguere  - The Yeti

Jean Sebastian Giguere had his greatest success when he played for the Anaheim Ducks. He first joined the team in 2000, and with the Ducks, won the Stanley Cup in 2007. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche with rumours circulating that this might be his final year. He's had many memorable goalie masks, especially from his time with the Ducks. However, nothing can strike fear in the hearts of his enemies like a yeti does. His mask features a yeti, or one could say that he is the yeti and the mask brings that out of him. Either way, a yeti is both terrifying and very cool.

9) Gary Bromley - Bones

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Gary Bromley played for both the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks. He's well known for his goalie mask that resembled a skull. He was nicknamed "Bones" after the mask. It's very possible that many opposing team players still have nightmares of the man in the skull mask.

8) James Reimer - Optimus Prime

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James Remier plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs and at one point, was one of the most popular players on the team. One of his nicknames is "Optimus Reim", which is a reference to the popular Transformers character, Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime is featured on Reimer's mask/helmet.

7) Patrick Lalime - Marvin The Martian

Patrick Lalime is not only known for his goaltending skills, but also for the creativity he puts into his goalie mask. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Buffalo Sabers. Each time his mask featured Looney Tunes character, Marvin The Martian.

6) Brent Johnson - Led Zeppelin

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Brent Johnson is the grandson of former NHL great, Sid Abel and son of former NHL goaltender, Bob Johnson. Brent has played for the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins. He's a huge fan of the legendary and iconic English rock band Led Zeppelin. The band has been featured on his goalie mask.

5) Steve Mason - A Team Of Zombies

via:imgur.com

Steve Mason's goalie mask might be a spoiler for the conclusion of AMC's post-apocalyptic horror series, The Walking Dead. All the zombies join the NHL. Steve Mason currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers and his mask is both scary and very impressive. It features zombie versions of his teammates.

4) Gerry Cheevers - Stitch Pattern

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Gerry Cheevers is considered to be one of the greatest goalies of his era. He is best known for his time with the Boston Bruins. The Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972, with Cheevers as their goalie. In 1972, he went undefeated in 32 consecutive games. However, he may be best known for his iconic stitch pattern goalie mask. He was one of the first goalies to put a design on his mask. Each stitch on the mask represents stitches he would have to get if he was not wearing the mask.

3) Peter Budaj - Ned Flanders

Peter Budaj has played for the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadians. He is best known for his unique goalie mask. His mask features Ned Flanders, from the massively successful animated sitcom, The Simpsons. He's had several masks that at different points included Marvel Comics, The Hulk and Altair from Assassins Creed. However, the one constant has always been good ol' Ned Flanders.

2) Jonas Hiller - Movember

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Jonas Hiller is best known for his time as the goalie for the Anaheim Ducks. He first joined the team in 2007, and remained until he was signed to the Calgary Flames in 2014. During his time with the Ducks he had many memorable goalie masks, such as, the classic Ducks logo mask that he wore for the 20th anniversary. One of the most unique though, is the Movember mask that had the Anaheim Ducks players with their rad moustaches scattered all over the mask/helmet. For the 2013-14 season, he has a simple yet, terrifying hockey mask.

1) Gilles Gratton - The Tiger

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Gilles Gratton was known for his eccentric personality and outspoken behavior. He played for both the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers in the NHL. He is best known for having one of the scariest and most horrifying goalie masks of all time. He claims he came up with the idea after seeing a picture of a tiger in the National Geographic Magazine. Some hockey players claim that he would growl at his opponents. His mask remains one of the scariest.

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