Thursday, March 17, 2011

RATE MY MASK - Gilles Meloche

Vintage time! After a few new masks, you only knew it would be a matter of time before I threw in some golden oldies.

And this one shouldn't disappoint.


This Meloche mask is in my Top 5 of all-time. It's that awesome!

Meloche's "heraldry" mask was designed by renowned mask man Greg Harrison. He's one of 'THE guys' when it comes to mask making (both in construction and painting). He was the best in the business at the time and had the lion's share of NHL clients.

Greg created his own Cleveland crest for Meloche after the California Golden Seals moved to Ohio to become the Barons in 1976. It's got the 'Black Knight' look on the top of the mask and the 'Barons' text on the chin.


The team colors, intricate detail and overall design were light years ahead of its time when this mask came out in the mid-70's.

5 out of 5 (a no-brainer for me)

OK, your turn.......Rate My Mask!

11 comments:

  1. I think I'm experiencing motion sickness or some sort of a flashback. I can see where it could prove distracting, but that red patch sure makes a nice, little message-sending target.

    All in all, and I'm as old-school as they come, it's a bit too over the top for my tastes. I'll give it a 2 out of 5.

    ReplyDelete
  2. B for bullseye!

    Interesting comments. I'm interested in knowing one of your fave masks. What makes a good mask design and who has an underrated lid.

    As always, thanks for the comments!

    ReplyDelete
  3. 2.5...including a bonus point because it is the old school, full mask without the garbage cage they use nowadays.

    seems a little too busy for me. hard to tell what's going on there.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My three favorite old schools masks are Gilles Gratton's lion, Gary Simmons' cobra and Gerry Cheevers' stitches. These days, I like Ryan Miller's mask. Something about those red eyes. That, and he plays for the Sabres.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Three of the true classics. Can't go wrong with any of them.

    Miller has a nice lid too. Might have to toss it up onto the board - card-style!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I liked Gratton's because it was instantly recognizable, yet covered the entire mask. Simmons' was cool because of its simplistic design and he was brave enough to incorporate those funky colors. Cheevers was simply honest.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's a pretty sweet mask (4.5 out of 5 for sure!) The only reason I can't give it a 5 is it's a little busy and I had trouble figuring out that was a "B" on the front. But overall a beautiful mask.

    I have to admit though, I get claustrophobic when I see guys wearing the old masks. I would not be able to have something right on my face like that. I feel like I can breathe when I see the cage masks of today...but not with these masks. I have to look away and catch my breath. ;o) Very impressive that they were able to play whole games with them.

    ReplyDelete
  8. this mask would look better all white, the paint job is too busy, i'd give it 2 out of 5

    ReplyDelete