TitanG

Ok that makes sense. Good to know!

That smooth interior does make it look very sharp. I wonder why Michel's masks are rougher on the inside (when you don't opt for the smooth interior upcharge) than competitors? Is it a fibre difference, resin difference, or both? Is it simply the way it's constructed, or do all the other companies smooth out their masks by default? I'm curious if anyone knows the reason.

Yeah but he switched into an NME in the 2014-2015 season, his second as a Devil, so it's either something in general with the NME he prefers (and not just the VTX) or maybe the reps just convinced him to use it instead. Really, only people like us here will know the difference, but I to am keen to see what the VTX holds, even if it's not the mask for me.

I’m still wondering why Bauer doesn’t get their players in wider 960’s like Schneider was in when he was in Vancouver. Personally, I’m still sceptical about the NMEs but I know they work well for some people, so I don’t totally discount them.

True, though the intermediate pro pricing of $649 seems more do-able (in case you missed that). I like the breakdown @Doobiesnax included since their website isn't up to date. Would always like to see this type of detailed list from every mask company.

Nice! How many options do you have for the fit?

Here's a link to an audio interview of Gary Warwick by Ingoal Magazine back in 2009. http://ingoalmag.com/interviews/goalie-mask-maker-gary-warwick-of-warwick-masks-interview/ It's interesting to note that Gary mentions that his NHL guys were feeling impacts more so he put more foam in the masks, whereas Protechsport masks have always had very thin and little foam. I believe Warwicks are at least partly carbon fibre, so this would lend credence to the fact that more energy transfers to the head upon collision if the impact zone is stiffer. This is why cars have crumple zones, to dissipate the energy from an impact instead of letting most of the energy transfer to the occupants. Also part of the reason I'm slightly skeptical about the big tri-bar cat eye cage by Pro's Choice; making the centre bar super rigid and thick does extend its useful life but I got to think that more energy transfers to the head and rest of the mask upon impact to the tri-bar. Don't get me wrong, I love Pro's Choice and Warwick, but I'm just pointing out some trade-offs between weight savings/durability/impact feel.

My understanding is that carbon fibre is not as good for impacts because it is very stiff, so it doesn't give upon impact as much as fiberglass. This means that more energy is transferred to your head, so you feel the impact more. The reason mask makers use carbon fibre is because of its high strength to weight ratio; it creates lighter masks.

Nice! I always liked the "long chin" look of the Pro 2 Ward model, but for me the window is too small. Did TGC mention a ballpark range for the full custom? Always been curious... In other Sportmask news, I saw on their Facebook group that they will likely soon be certifying the Mage RS, which would be great for those who want better visibility but need certification.

Got one worse that I just found the other day. Jon Gillies must be drinking some spike Gatorade to want this strapping. He has Dom add the extra buckle that the 960's had for the chin strap and snaps his backplate straps to it like some 960 wearers used to do (Hellebuyck). To clarify my photos, its the green he snaps onto when it should be the red like normal goalies. What a weirdo, and this is coming from a goalie:

I agree, though Chad Warwick didn't always have the Double D on his masks, so in principle it could be his, but to me it doesn't look like any Warwick/Defender. Weird vent hole shape...

Whoa who made that mask?

Your guess is as good as mine, though probably in the range of the other manufacturers pro custom (~$1500+).

Yeah it's just the NHL goalies that don't use the stock padding. Not sure why -- maybe Bauer thinks they prefer the Rubatex-type foam? CHL and other leagues where guys use the NME have the stock padding as far as I can tell. Yeah I noticed the Holtby thing. Bauer must send out the mask for painting with the stock padding, then when they bring it back re-pad using the Rubatex-like foam. Also I don't think Bishop wore Warwick -- it was an Eddy and when they went out of business is when he tried CCM and Bauer.

My point is not that one mask is inherently better than another, just that a custom fitted mask most likely is as the fit is one of (if not the) most important aspects of a mask, meaning a mass-produced mask made with the philosophy that 3 sizes fit all is probably not the best possible choice. Custom padding the same mask would most likely help too, which I do not see typically with these types of masks in the NHL. Also, due to the nature of mass-production, there are sometimes flaws introduced simply because of a want to reduce costs (rightfully or not). Just think back to the major recall Bauer had a couple years ago for their titanium cages due to a "quality issue" per Health Canada -- a kid got a serious injury from one breaking. Yes, you can get a serious injury wearing any mask, but if it is due to cost cutting that makes it all the worse.

Here is the final product of the Darren Millard Sportmask Pro Custom (note the new thicker center bar):

It is interesting to note that the NME 10's in the NHL have the traditional Rubatex-type foam like the original 961 rather than the stock padding that you would get from one off the shelf. The issue I have is like what @Big2 mentioned: they have access to a custom fitted mask yet not all get them (backplate gaps anyone?); and how loose masks in general are worn. Yes, some head shapes do fit stock shells well, most could fit better in a custom fitted mask. I remember being shocked seeing Ryan Miller taking a strap snap off to take off his mask instead of the majority of goalies who wear their mask loose enough to just take off the mask with the snaps still on. This is a problem in general in hockey though; many players wear their helmets way too loose so they are far less effective for their intended purpose.

I wonder if this incident with Bishop has anything to do with the mask (NME 10 in case you wondered)? The other day Smith took a hard shot off his Pro's Choice without any apparent ill effects:

I'd love to know just how customizable those options are. Is it possible to get a mask fitted to a face mold, or are the options not that extreme?

Maybe try with OTNY Mask/Goalieparts who make their masks pre-padded with die-cut sheets of Maltese, or even Monster or Passau who use sheets of it for their pads/protective/accessories? Also, there are companies online who sell similar products to Maltese like Air2Gel or ARTi-LAGE. One day I'll have to give this a try myself.

Yeah, I've thought about one day inquiring about getting just a sheet of the stuff to cut to my custom dimensions, but the stuff is pretty pricey.

Ha, no I'm just very observant. If I was selling it I'd be a lot richer...

On the topic of non-traditional mask padding, I've noticed that some (maybe all?) pro goalies in Warwick masks now have a layer of Unequal behind the normal forehead foam. Unequal is a unique type of padding used most in football and baseball but is slowly creeping into hockey, with the most famous, but usually unnoticed example being Jonas Hiller who also uses it beneath his Maltese gel (it's the darker green, thinner padding). I've noticed this on both Cam Johnson from UND and Ryan Miller, so I wonder if Warwick is doing this now for all of their pro customers, possibly due to the new NHL regulations on masks? Also, many Boston Bruins players use Unequal under their normal foam, from backup Anton Khudobin in his Pro's Choice mask, to Brad Marchand in his Bauer 5100 helmet and previously Patrice Bergeron in his VN lined Reebok 11K helmet. There are other NHL players who use Unequal as well, and while some say their claims are far-fetched, as long as it actually has some positive impact on head protection I say more people should use it.

OTNY Mask (masks made by Ron Stefaniuk from Coveted Masks) has a pre-cut Maltese foam option, though it costs about $100 USD more than with normal foam. OTNY CC-M: OTNY X1M: I'd like to try one someday...

Whoa, round vent holes on a Sportmask?? Never seen that before!