A few days ago Masked Marvel Goalie Helmets co-owner Joe Messina spent five minutes with The Goalie Guild to answer six questions regarding the recent evolution of high-end custom goalie masks.

Masked Marvel was co-founded in 2005 by Messina and Stan Matwijiw. They both also happen to own Bandit’s Goalie Schools. Sure enough, between their year-round goalie school and camps and their own personal goaltending endeavors, these two guys bring real-life meaning to their motto: “Designed by goalies for goalies”.

With over two years of development for their HECC-approved Assassin model, which is constructed of military-grade resins and kevlar, you’ll see that Joe and Stan act as a great pulse on the latest developments in the world of custom-molded masks.

 

TGG: Simply put, how have goalie masks evolved over the last couple of years?
Joe: “Goalie masks have evolved over the last few years due to the materials, resins and foams being used for greater durability and fit on a goaltender’s head. At Masked Marvels, we pride ourselves on fit, feel and protection. But these three points cannot be achieved unless you design a mask that not only gives goalies the confidence they need while playing, but a comfort factor that makes a mask enjoyable to wear and not cumbersome.”

TGG: Are custom masks close to the threshold of a safe overall weight?
Joe: “Yes, and we have seen this from our first generation of masks to our second generation of masks. Mask weight can be very deceptive at times. You want a mask to be lightweight, while still offering protection and durability. Our new mask design is around three pounds, however to the touch, this might seem bulky. But once on one’s head, the mask is extremely well-balanced and becomes virtually weightless. This is exactly what we all want to achieve - a durable, yet lightweight mask while wearing it, so that you have the peace of mind your head is well protected.”

TGG: Is there a ‘soft spot’ on custom masks that could still be made safer?
Joe: “I would have to say on any mask, the soft spots are in the crown and chin area. One thing we did on our second generation of masks, the Assassin line, was to remove the screw holes in the top portion of the cage. We also realigned the screws in the chin area to the sides in order to create a more sound shell. No matter what, taking shots to those two areas are a major concern with any manufacturer. The way we combat that is by designing a material layup that will offer greater protection in those areas. But we’re always thinking of ways to improve the durability of a mask in those areas.”

TGG: How will Masked Marvel strive to improve the overall fit of a mask?
Joe: “I think this is an important area when an individual is shopping for a new mask. The overall fit and feel of the mask is essential, especially when a goaltender wants a mask to offer the best protection possible. You can wear the most expensive mask on the market however if it’s not fitted properly then the goalie is liable to be unprotected and vulnerable to vision problems, discomfort and injury. The foam we use in our masks is a duel lined foam system which is HECC approved. The bottom portion of the foam is a denser layer for shock absorption and noise reduction while the top layer that sits flush to the face is a closed cell soft impact foam which creates the fit and feel that is essential to making a mask fit properly and snug to ones face.”

TGG: Your latest mask model is the Assassin. What are some of its features?
Joe: “On our new Assassin mask line, we redesigned the chin and back slot of the shell, adding on a half-inch to the back of the shell for added protection, sizing and overall fit. With the longer designed shell, we also redesigned the chin for greater head movement and overall durability. To improve fit, we also added a tear-drop design to the back of the shell, something that was never present on our Thief line. The tear-drop creates a better fit and feel in the mask for comfort and protection. The crown is similar to our old Thief line while the chin design is a little more aggressive on the Assassin. We also moved the screws on the chin of the Assassin line to the side to increase durability in the chin area, as that’s a high puck contact area on any mask.”

TGG: Finally, what is your favorite aspect of making custom masks?
Joe: “Honestly, the best part about this job is when you hand a goalie your product, they pull the mask out of its bag and they smile from ear to ear. It’s even more impressive to see goalies that have their mask custom painted by one of our certified painters. Usually they’ve gone through a few design concepts with the painter and haven’t seen the mask in person, so the first time they see it, it’s pretty special to see the expression on their face. It’s like all of their thoughts and ideas have been captured on the mask and they’re truly proud of that!”

Don’t forget you could win your very own FREE Masked Marvel helmet through our Medieval Mask Design Contest! A special thanks to Joe for his time and for sponsoring our first-ever mask design contest.