Designing Curtis Sanford's Goalie Mask

The goalie mask has really evolved through the years from being something that protected a goalies mug, to something much more; a form of expression.

Back in the days it was a piece of unadorned fiberglass used to strictly to protect the goalie's face from the puck, kind of like the mask Friday the 13th's Jason Voorhees runs around in.

Later a helmet/cage combination was en vogue--the same kind of helmets worn by Troy Gamble and Dan Cloutier.

These days a modern fiberglass helmet, that covers protects the entire head and chin, is what the cool kids wear and it gives the netminder the opportunity to get a little creative with the design.

Kirk McLean's Scottish horses, Corey Hirsch's homage to Hitchcock's Psycho, whatever the hell was on Felix Potvin's, Kay Whitmore's eagle and salmon, Luongo's current Johnny Canuck are some of the designs that Vancouver goalies have used.

Last year, backup Curtis Sanford had what looked like Saruman, from Lord of the Rings (played by Christopher Lee in the movies), protecting his noggin; but it seems like Sanford thinks that design is a little stale and wants something new.

Rather than develop a concept with an artist, Sanford wants fans of the Canucks to submit drawings for potential goalie masks and from all the entries, he will decide a winner. The deadline is August 25, 2008 @ 5pm PST.

Why didn't the Canucks do this last year with the new jerseys?