10 of the Best Goalie Helmets in the NHL
Happy Easter everybody! It’s time for the Katrina Cappelli holiday special. For Valentine’s Day I gave you 10 of the hottest NHL players, and now in honour of Easter I’m going to give you 10 of the best goalie helmets (they are the closest thing hockey has to Easter eggs). So without further ado and in no particular order here’s my list:
March 9, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30) takes a sip of water during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Though he may not be the most talented of goalies he is certainly the most entertaining and his helmet is no exception to that. He switched helmets through the season to his current Star Wars themed helmet, which seems very appropriate for a guy they call Mr. Universe. It has Yoda on one side and Darth Vader on the other which is definitely awesome enough to make the list. Interesting fact about Brygalov’s helmet: They had to repaint Yoda’s light saber because it was originally red but Yoda’s light saber is actually green.
2. James Reimer
Feb 7, 2013; Winnipeg, MB, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) sets for a shot during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Two words make this helmet great: Optimus Reim. Reimer has fully embraced the nickname given to him by Toronto Maple Leafs fans putting Optimus Prime’s face on the chin strap and his blue prints all over it, makes for a for a very interesting design that you don’t really notice unless you look closely.
3. Mike Smith
Feb 26, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith (41) during the second period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Phoenix Coyotes won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Wile E. Coyote, super genius. My favourite Looney Tunes character makes Smith’s one of my favourite helmets in the league. Wile E. is wearing a Phoenix Coyotes jersey with the name A. Smith across the back, which honours the goalie’s new son. Wile E. even has roadrunner feathers stuck in his teeth which is a great final touch to an awesome helmet.
4. Jonas Hiller
March 22, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) reacts after allowing a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Hiller’s mask just looks awesome. The black and gold is just so cool looking with the black and white silhouettes on either side just make it that much classier. On the back is a picture of Poseidon in Hiller’s number one, which the goalie says represents his zodiac sign of Aquarius. Also on the back is a dove because one of the meanings of Jonas is dove.
5. Cam Ward
February 23, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the PNC center. The Lightning defeated the Hurricanes 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Ward is famous for having Blackbeard the Pirate featured on his helmet he also always has his nickname Wardo on the chin strap. The back features a lot of personal references including a cross with his grandfather’s initials, the Stanley Cup, and a lucky four leaf clover.
Mar 2, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Quick is the knight of the Los Angeles Kings for sure and his helmet reflects that. The simplistic design makes this helmet unique and really cool-looking. I’m also a fan of Quick written across the chin strap in very rock and roll lettering.
Mar 14, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Lundqvist’s mask acted as a tribute to his homeland this year. With Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman on one side and director Ingmar Bergman on the other. On the front is a crown with Lundqvist’s number 30 in it, no doubt a reference to his nickname King Henrik. With Lady Liberty and the New York Rangers initials across the chin strap representing Lundqvist’s love for the city he plays in.
Jan 23, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff (34) during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Kiprusoff’s helmet is totally awesome. It has skulls on a black background and on the sides it has the goalie’s nickname Kipper along with his number 34. It’s just a really cool looking helmet, I don’t know what else to say about it.
Mar 18, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames goalie Joey MacDonald (35) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
I didn’t want to have two goalies from the same team on the list but the Calgary Flames’ goalies really knocked it out of the park. MacDonald’s helmet has orange flames on the front and his nickname Mac across the chin strap. The most interesting part of his helmet though is that Mac (the character from the movie Cars, he’s a Mac truck) is on the sides.
10. Jose Theodore
March 2, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Jose Theodore (60) before the start of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Panthers 6-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Theodore definitely took inspiration from being in Florida. It prominently features what has been deemed a Tiki Gargoyle as well as a lot of palm trees. The Gargoyle is guarding a sand castle. It is a great summery helmet that makes all of us stuck in the cold and snow feel like having fun in the sun and he deserves some props for that.
SIDE NOTE: When searching for pictures of Lundqvist’s helmet I came across this ad for SportsCenter, please enjoy!