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goalie pads
DCHP-2 (Apr 2016)
n. — Hockey
protective guards covering the legs of the goaltender.
Type: 5. Frequency — The first goalie pads were developed around 1900 (Hynes & Smith 2008: 15, see the 1901 and 1907 quotations). Initially, goalies wore cricket pads, but as protection became more important, cricket pads were replaced by bigger, stronger pads. In 1924, goaltender Emil “pop” Kenesky widened his cricket pads to 12 inches, creating a model that goalies would employ for decades to come (Duplacey 2004: 45). The pads were first made of leather or horsehide filled with felt, deer hair or sponge. But these materials soaked up water from the ice and became heavy. By the late 1980s synthetic materials added more protection and allowed for greater mobility (see VMC reference).
The first mention of the term goalie's pads was found in 1937, and of goalie pads in 1954. As Chart 1 shows, the term is today mostly used in Canada.
See: hockey
Quotations
1901
[Referee Sadler kept tab on the game with fair accuracy, but he seemed to be a little deficient in knowledge of the rules, as for instance, in the second half, when he allowed Harmer time in which to change pads with the goalkeeper after he had been ruled off, and then ordered the game to go on before the former had returned.]
1907
[The report that Kerr of Brockville received an offer of $25 a week to tend goal for the Canadian Soo team is untrue, and will be so long as "Dutchy" Lehman has strength to stand up under the weight of his pads. The Soo considers Lehman the best goaltender in the league.]
1922
[Over all these, however, John Ross Roach stood out with the most masterful exhibition of goaltending ever shown locally. The wee lad blocked with stick, feet, body, hands, head, pads and in every conceivable manner. He turned down effort after effort that was ticketed through, and his great display alone saved the Irish.]
1937
For a moment they put a little life in Boston's attack, Beattie forcing down Beveridge to take his close-up stab. Then Portland blazed an angle drive off the goalie's pads.
1954
The hockey is being played at the Kerrisdale Arena and all games commence at 8 p.m. The games are played in two fifteen minute halfs [sic] and goalie pads and sticks will be provided.
1978
About $225 worth of hockey equipment, including a full set of goalie pads and helmets, four sets of shin pads and six pairs of hockey socks - divided equally in the colors of the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs - has been purchased for the squad.
2000
Swanson was born in Calgary in 1980 and lived in the southeast, donning his first pair of goalie pads with the Bow Valley Flames in the minor system. His family moved to Red Deer when he was 11. In his last year at home, he was with the midget Red Deer Chiefs.
2015
Over his four years, though he admits it sounds cliche, he says it was the friendships he built that were the highlight for him. But that doesn't mean the goalie pads are going into storage just yet. The 24-year-old said he isn't done yet. "Ideally, I'd like to keep playing hockey,' he said, "but the leagues I'd like to go into are still playing, so they're not really looking right now."
References
- Hynes & Smith (2008)
- VMC • Pre-Game Skate: Origins & Evolution
- Duplacey (2004)
Images
