Cuyler, Bradley D ([log in to unmask]) wrote:
: I was just wondering when the NCAA allowed college net minders to wear
: the now common fiberglass goalie helmet with the cage.  To my knowledge
: it seems that style began about 3 years ago (give or take) A very long
: time ago goalies on the division I teams wore fiberglass masks and then
: in the early to mid 80's switched over to a regular helmet with the cage
: of course, some still have the helmet and the cage. I guess my question
: simply is did the NCAA pass a rule a few years ago allowing the new
: fiberglass mask or helmet with the cage. It seems to me that the new
: fiberglass helmet gives the goalie better protection and give him the
: opportunity to paint it with his perspective college colors.
 
: Brad Cuyler NMU.
 
To the best of my knowledge, the NCAA did not pass a new rule. It was just a
consequence of commercially available masks that fit multiple head sizes that
caused it. Prior to about '89, fiberglass masks were custom molded, cost more
that $1000, and couldn't be used by anyone else. They are still available, and
most NHLers wear this type. But now you can buy masks for $200-$700 that are
adjustable, so colleges were willing to spend the money to buy them for their
players. The prices above do not include paint job, but that is relatively
cheap. The NHLers still wear the custom ones because they are even better
protection, and are also lighter weight.
 
 
-Steve Wintner ([log in to unmask])