My Goalie Pads In The Hockey Hall Of Fame

[Max Von]

I don't know how many Pelicans are hockey fans or have any interest, but I
just thought I'd share a neat story. I was an average to good hockey goalie in the early 70's and had some nice equipment. I sold my vintage 1975 goalie pads to a fellow on Ebay that claimed to be from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Turns out he was the real deal and the pads are now on display as part of the Montreal Canadien's Centennial exhibit. I've attached a picture. My pads are right under Ken Drydens #29 jersey.
Pretty cool eh?
I was born and raised in Hamilton Ontario. My parent moved to the US in 1968. I am still a Canadian citizen and thrilled something I played net in is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

[Christien]

Wow, what an awesome story! Congrats from a fellow Hamiltonian!

[Noah930]

Wow. Neat story. Very cool for you.

But, out of curiosity, why didn't they just stick a set of Dryden's old pads in the exhibit? Isn't that what a Hall of Fame is for?

Noah930
(alum from same undergrad as Dryden--Go Big Red)

[rpollock]

Very cool!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Very neat! Congrats on that!

[911boost]

OK, that is cool as hell. I have been to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

I still play, but not even close to the level it sounds like you played at. Did you play on any teams I would know?

Bill

[Tobra]

that is pretty freaking cool, eh

[Zef]

Man it's cool....By the pic, they surely are heavy stuff hey...?

[billybek]

That is very cool!
The first time I went to the HHoF, I felt like I was entering a holy place!
I had a separated shoulder (summer hockey) and needed to take some time off work.
A guy I play with is still using those pads. A little horse hair falls out with every hard shot.

[Max Von]

Thanks Christien. My Mom grew up just outside of Dundas and my dad was raised over on the east side. It's a nice place to live. Canadians are just nice folks in my opinion.

Noah,
All the equipment is listed as "a likness" to the original players. It was explained to me that they could have tried to find a set of early pads exactly like Dryden's but they were on deadline and mine had the correct patina and look they required. The goalie masks shown are reproductions as well. Dryden probably played with custom made pads from one or two of the famous manufacturers. There is quite a market for vintage goalie gear. I sold my custom made "Higgins" mask for $1000 in 2004!

The pads look heavy but actually weigh about 7 pounds each (dry). They do get heavier when you get them wet and after 3 periods of play they felt like two bags of wet cement!

I played hockey from age 10 and had a very good high school record and made the first cut at Northeastern University in Boston. I blew out my knee during my very first practice and that was that. I still played with some Junior A guys off season and played several charity events against the Massport Jets all womens team. It's funny that I became a goaltender because as a kid I would always be afraid of baseballs or footballs being thrown at me but a hockey puck traveling at 100mph didn't bother me a bit!

[VINMAN]

Thats awesome! I'm jealous! Former goalie here.
Funny about the other sports. I was the same way. Always scared crap about getting hit with a pitch or line drive. Had no fear of the puck. Although I took one shot in the neck that almost made me hang up my pads.

[Porsche_monkey]

That is really really cool that your pads are there. And a really cool display, congratulations to the HHOF. I love hockey, but I'm not HHOF type guy, I've been once, I would rather play or watch than review history. That picture has changed my mind, I think I will head down there in a few weeks.

I suspect they asked Ken Dryden for his pads, and I would guess he is still answering their question. That guy was a true super-star, but god does he ramble on now....

Now, who's up for putting those old pads, the fiberglass mask, and stopping some slap-shots coming off a composite stick at 100 MPH? Didn't think so.

[Aerkuld]

That's really cool. I have done a little bit of goal tending myself and I always approached the goal with the "Puck can't hurt me" attitude. I have to admit that having deflected a puck or two off my helmet it doesn't hurt, but you sure know it. Also being hit in the nuts isn't entirely painless even with the required protective gear. Still dosn't stop you though does it?

My youngest son now plays goalie on our Junior travel team. They played their first tournament last weekend and had a blast! My lad played his heart out much to the appreciation of the rest of the team. He turned 8 last September and that's representitive of the average age on the team. They were playing against kids much older, one team averaged 10 years old. I have to admit, even being somewhat biased, that he did an awesome job. Even coaches on the other teams were praising him afterwards. Which was nice.

Here's one in the glove - maybe he can have a set of pads in the hall of fame one day!

[mike55]

That is very cool! I was a huge fan of the 60s and 70s Canadiens.

Looks like your pads are in good company, right next to Gump Worsley's. He played 20+ years in the NHL and only wore a mask in the last 6 games he played.

[VINMAN]

There was one guy I used to play against once in a while. I was terrified of him. When I used to see him wind up for a slap shot, I'd curl up like a baby and let him get a goal. This guys shot was so incredibly hard, even with the chest protector, it would knock the wind out of you.

I remember the first time going from the old mask to the new modern caged mask. First shot I took in the head, I was like " hey, did something just tap me?" Definitely dropped my fear level a few notches.

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by Max Von

I played hockey from age 10 and had a very good high school record and made the first cut at Northeastern University in Boston.

"Safety school, safety school...." Remember hearing that during Bean Pot games? LOL.

Cool story.

Neil
BU Alum

[juanbenae]

very cool.

[Max Von]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

There was one guy I used to play against once in a while. I was terrified of him. When I used to see him wind up for a slap shot, I'd curl up like a baby and let him get a goal. This guys shot was so incredibly hard, even with the chest protector, it would knock the wind out of you.

I remember the first time going from the old mask to the new modern caged mask. First shot I took in the head, I was like " hey, did something just tap me?" Definitely dropped my fear level a few notches.

LOL! Yep, I had one team mate that could unload from the point and it would literally stun you like you got hit with a baseball bat. He was just a little guy too. The best and hardest shot I ever took was from Teddy Green of the Bruins. He had long since retired and I was attending a goalie clinic where he was coaching. I asked him if he could "give me a taste of an NHL players shot". Well he was hesitant as I was only 15 or so but he said okay. So he puts the puck at center ice and starts skating from the other blue line. He was probably going 30mph when he winds up and lets go a vicious slap shot! I didn't even see it coming and it hit me on my right shoulder so hard it spun me around and went in the net. I couldn't even pick up my stick afterwards and it was all I could do not to cry out in pain! He was mortified and kept apologizing and rubbing my shoulder saying " come on kid, it ain't broken.....is it?" He sent me a nice autographed picture later with "You asked for it" inscribed. Good times.

[Porsche_monkey]

A few years ago my goalie was late for a game, stuck in traffic, and we had about five minutes before we forfeit. And he wasn't even at the rink yet.

So we are skating around waiting and our big shooter (with a wicked slap shot, pre-composite sticks) says 'No problem, I can buy us some time'.

He takes a puck, winds up, takes his slap shot and shatters the glass above the boards. One freakin' shot! After half an hour of clean-up we start the game and our goalie is ready.

In 40+ years of playing I have never seen another player who could do that.

[masraum]

Wow, that's very cool. Congrats on the sale and the neat story.