Ben Humphrey
I really love goalie masks. Or, I really the love the fact that goalie masks have become a, now expected, canvas for individual creativity. This is especially refreshing to see within a league that has gone as far as to ban the Gretzky-style jersey tuck. When I was younger, I used to know goalies more by their masks than anything else, and lately I had been obsessing over a specific mask I remember seeing on a player from the Ottawa Senators back when I was probably around ten. I remembered that the mask was mostly black, with a sort of paint splatter taking up the majority of the front. After a quick stroll down Wikipedia lane, I found the man behind the specific mask from my memory. I wasn't surprised to discover that the goalie in question was NHL journeyman, Ron Tugnutt. I was, however, pleasantly surprised to learn that the mask I was looking for was not exclusive to the senators. This lead me down a rabbit hole that took me to Google Image, trying to find Tugnutt sporting all of his different headgear (thank Moses for old hockey cards.)
The picture to your right is the original mask that, for whatever reason, was imprinted on my young brain. Although it's a unique look, I wouldn't call it one of my favourites. What I do appreciate is the fact that the Sens were Tugnutt's 5th NHL team, and that he had carried a running theme with him throughout his long career. Although there were a few exceptions that will be pointed out shortly, I really enjoy when players sort of have a look that they stick to, a "BRAND" if you will, although that's kind of a crappy word. Guys like Ed Belfour and Curtis Joseph are other, arguably better, examples of guys bringing their mask-art with them to different teams. While, in an ideal world, most pro athletes wouldn't want to switch teams very often (if ever) throughout their careers, it's cool when someone can have something along the lines of their own personal image or icon.
Anyway, back to Ron. His first NHL club was the Quebec Nordiques (RIP), and the "splatter" look had not yet been implemented. Tugnutt really gains my respect here, for two reasons. The first one being that the design itself is very bold, with solid colours and a unique design. Simple yet dynamic goalie masks such as this are usually my favourite, as they can be seen from afar and they don't stray too far from the actual uniform. The second reason that I have a new found respect for Ron Tugnutt is the fact that he rocked several different masks, but they were all similar variations of the next. As you can see, the graphic is obviously fleur-de-lys inspired (hello, Quebec) and it looks great.
After several years with Quebec, Tugnutt spent a season and a half with the Edmonton Oilers. Still, the "splatter" had yet to make an appearance, but what we're seeing here is (in my opinion) even better. Like the Nordiques masks, the two Oilers ones I came across used the same characteristics for success. Bold, solid colours, thick lines etc. I especially like the mask with the big drops of oil, as like with the flour-de-lys, infuses some character into the design. Now would also be a good time to point out that my research was pretty limited, so I'm not sure which of these two masks came first, and there exists the possibility that I could have missed something along the way. With that being said, I should note that I was ALMOST fooled by Google...
I came across the image to your left during a Google search of "Ron Tugnutt masks." It made perfect sense to assume that this was a Tugnutt joint, as Edmonton would have been the most logical team for the "splatter" theme to originate (oil...get it?) After further investigation, however, I discovered that the man to our left was not Ron Tugnutt but in fact the aforementioned Curtis Joseph. Sneaky, sneaky, Cujo. It seems that Joseph, who played in Edmonton between 1995 - 1998 decided to switch up his style for a period of time that I did not specifically determine during his tenure in Oil City. It should also be noted that Tugnutt had already come and gone through Edmonton by then, having played there from 92-93.
Tugnutt's travel-heavy career continued with half a season with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Interestingly, we can see that he played at least one game with his "Oil-Drop" cage. (Meaning I guess we solved the mystery of which Edmonton mask Ron wore first. THANKS, POWERS OF DEDUCTION!) From there, Tugnutt spent a bit of time sporting the "I haven't been here very long" blank mask before finally settling into a simple, yet effective design. The parallel diagonals are very similar to the ones worn in Edmonton. But still no splatter.
Before he could even get a chance to go to the beach, Ron found himself in Montreal, playing for the Canadiens. As you can see, the splatter is born! In addition, Tugnutt continues to show his taste for variety, as we can see another very graphic and aesthetically pleasing design.
While the splatter design is different and kind of fun, I'm surprised that it's the one that stuck. There were just so many beautiful designs leading up to this. Maybe Ron was just fed up by this point, he had been on four different teams in four seasons. Unfortunately for him, he still had a few more stops to make. Tugnutt was in Montreal from 1994-1995.
While the splatter design is different and kind of fun, I'm surprised that it's the one that stuck. There were just so many beautiful designs leading up to this. Maybe Ron was just fed up by this point, he had been on four different teams in four seasons. Unfortunately for him, he still had a few more stops to make. Tugnutt was in Montreal from 1994-1995.
After spending the 1995-1996 season with the Portland Pirates of the AHL (BUCK UP, RON!), Tugnutt went back to Canada for what ended up being a three and a half season stint with the Ottawa Senators. Although my nostalgia serves as a bias, the gold on black splatter is probably the best contrast of all the splatters.
Meanwhile, Tugnutt can't fight the urge to celebrate his inner graphical designer, and spends some time wearing another mask that celebrates nice, bold lines. Despite that, I think I would give the splatter the nod in this specific matchup if only because of how good that molten gold appears on the black backdrop. But again, nostalgia.
Meanwhile, Tugnutt can't fight the urge to celebrate his inner graphical designer, and spends some time wearing another mask that celebrates nice, bold lines. Despite that, I think I would give the splatter the nod in this specific matchup if only because of how good that molten gold appears on the black backdrop. But again, nostalgia.
Tugnutt's final season in Ottawa was cut short, as he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. As you may or may not be able to see, depending on your eyesight, Tugnutt once again had to pull the always respectable "play for team X while wearing a mask reppin' team Y". This lasted as long as it took for Tugnutt's paint guy to throw together "SPLATTER III - PENS EDITION." I guess I lied earlier, because yellow on black contrast here is actually stronger than the gold on black combo, but it's just not as pretty.
After finishing off the 1999-2000 season with the Pens, Tuggnutt spent the last four years of his career between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Dallas Stars.
After finishing off the 1999-2000 season with the Pens, Tuggnutt spent the last four years of his career between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Dallas Stars.
Much of the same here. The gold on green is actually pretty nice, but it lacks that animated quality that was perhaps attributed to the man behind the mask as much as it is to the black surface of the mask itself.
But Ron is weary from his travels. For every mile he has trekked, he has met flying discs of rubber to violently greet him. A true NHL journeyman, and a true patron of the goalie mask arts, Ron Tugnutt proved you can play goalie and look damn good doing it. So here's to you, Mr. Tuggnutt. May your canvas always be filled and your goalie never be pulled.
Submitted by Ben Humphrey
@humpnotes
But Ron is weary from his travels. For every mile he has trekked, he has met flying discs of rubber to violently greet him. A true NHL journeyman, and a true patron of the goalie mask arts, Ron Tugnutt proved you can play goalie and look damn good doing it. So here's to you, Mr. Tuggnutt. May your canvas always be filled and your goalie never be pulled.
Submitted by Ben Humphrey
@humpnotes
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