3 Lessons from Old School Goalie Pads 

Playing goalie in the eighties tore me up. A lot of flip flopping, leg saves that caused bruises, dropping that caused damaged knees. Mike Palmateer was my hero. I played pick up hockey a few years ago with new age equipment. I felt like I was incarcerated.

I was a goalie in the late morning 80’s and early 90’s. We weren’t allowed to linger on our knees because it gave up too much of the net up high,. We would practice dropping to a butterfly and then popping back up to standing as quick as we could. It took incredible leg strength.

Ed Belfour was my favorite goalie as a kid. Belfour, Grant Fuhr, Felix the cat, Osgood, Richter, Ranford, Moog, were all great great goalies. Brings me back when ESPN covered NHL games with Gary Thorne and Bill Clement as the announcers. When Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, New Jersey, NY Rangers and the Penguins were always televised on ESPN. I thought those two did a great job commentating those games and I looked forward to watching the best teams go at it, and ESPN with that starting music, then they'd turn it down for them to start talking..... stuff we'll never see or hear again... I'm glad I witnessed it! AMAZING STUFF!!!!!

Man, all my stuff old but particulary my McKenney pads (senior elites I think about 16 years old), koho skates and only recently retired my Brian's Bandit glove and blocker... They were done but man I really miss that glove!

I started playing hockey when I was four and a half years old (1970). I played defence and goal but being a goaltender like my idol, Ken Dryden, was always my dream. Back then we had the all brown leather pads that were stiff as plywood and heavy as rocks. I had to stop playing after I was 12 years old but I had my one day of glory playing my first year of PeeWee and my teams goalie didn't show up on time for the game so I was chosen to sub for him and posted a shutout against my cousin's team including stoning him on a blue line to blue line break away. I grew up learning to play a stand up style of goal tending so when I returned to playing hockey at age 32 I went back to what I knew: stand up game, stacking the pads and using an old, old, old set of brown leather, 1970's era Copper pads. I was also going to goaltending school to improve and modernize my game style. My instructor was a former back-up goalie for the Bruins and he convinced me to change from my oldschool equipment to custom pads he had for sale. What a difference! The weight was a fraction of the concrete I had been wearing strapped to my legs and the flexibility allowed be to better employ a hybrid style of play. One thing I learned though is that wearing an older, heavier set of gear to play pick up or shinny is not a bad thing because it improves your athleticism because of the extra work your body has to do to compensate for the weight to move effectively in the crease and get up and down from the ice after that sprawling save. When you change back over to the lighter pads for more serious play in a league or where the game is not just for fun it feels like you are wearing nothing at all and your reactions are almost superhuman because your muscles are working like they are still carrying the weight. I do not suggest going and finding an old pair of Coop's unless you want them to hang on your rec-room wall but add some ankle weights or something to help build your legs muscles while playing. The customs my teacher sold me once got washed by my wife (who at the time knew very little about hockey and its equipment) and after she took them from the bathtub they remained water logged. I had a game the next day and the water in the pads froze while my equipment was in my trunk. The weight the water added had the same effect as wearing heavier pads but once the pads dried out my following game was amazing and surprised many with how fast I was moving. Anyway, I loved your video and am going to subscribe to your channel. I am not playing currently myself and am not sure I ever will be able to again but I am going to try once both of my hips are replaced (one done, one to go) so whatever your reason for not playing don't give up. I am turning 53 soon and years ago when I was in my mid 30's I used to play league right after an Over 50 league organized by an 80 year old who still played between the pipes and he was good. Never too old, never too injured not to make a comeback.

I was using 15 year old Brians Beast Gloves until about 2 weeks ago, I have CCM Goalie Skates from circa 2003, and my jock and shorts are at least 18 years old!

I have been using the same Bauer Reactor 6 pads, blocker, glove, pants and chest protector since juniors (1999-2000). They are still the most comfortable pads I have ever used. When it comes down to it, a really good goaltender can play well in just about any type of pad. "ancient", new or whatever. ADAPT!

i use koho 590 pads and gloves so 15 years old i love them so much

“Not playing right now.....” sounds like a comeback maybe 🙌 have a great day my friend! ✌🏼😎👍🏼

Curtis Curve in the house! Raised a lot of eyebrows back in the day over here in Finland. Got mine back in -95. Obviously I don't use it any more, but have hold on to it for nostalgia reasons :)

Dominator was a great goalie, however one of the best and most underrated goaltender of the late 80's earlier 90's is Bill Ranford!!

I still play with my 90s era Eddy helmet. I just recently updated my old CCM 652 skates, Brian's pants and Itech C/A.

All my equipment is from late 90’s early 2000’s. I just started playing again after having both hips replaced. I tried new pads. I currently wearing my old ones. I feel more confident and comfortable in them. Thanks

"Drop and Block" leaves the upper part of the net wide open save the area where the goalies head is. Over the years shooting instruction has caught up with this and now scoring is more often this way on an initial, or rebound shot. It is now essential to cease this particular style of instructional goaltending and instead teach the hybrid stay championed by Martin Brodeur. It's that or start looking for goalies that are a minimum of 6' 8" tall!

20 year old ITECH goalie helmet I used when I was starting out, and it actually has much more durability than most helmets these days (at least how I've felt after taking many pucks off the noggin)

Wayne, I'm rocking a set of TPS Exceed, red and white, pads with the matching blocker and trapper. I bought these from a friend of mine, roughly 12 years ago. These babies are great! I love them so much that I have not considered "upgrading".

I recently showed up to a pickup game and one of the goalies there was wearing the old Toskala style Heaton H6 pads and he asked to borrow my G3 pros so I strapped his on. I honestly missed those pads. The sliding was crap but if you push hard enough you could still do it well and they were part of the change in gear towards having knee stacks and felt so light and fun to play in.

I used my Louisville TPX blocker and trapper that were 27 years old up until this past June. I challenge anyone to have used older gear on a game to game basis. They were falling apart and smelled ... well, I’m sure you can imagine. Cheers Wayne

Hey Wayne! Just wanted to stop in and say that YOU are Totally Awesome!! Recently found your channel and you've inspired me to pick up a set of pads to get back in net after about a 10 year hiatus on account of life. Hope all goes well with your recovery and I wish you all the best with wherever life takes you. Many thanks!

I had old school Sheerwood gear. Got it from a yard sale, used it all the way until my "retirement" when I was 17 due to injury. But I believe it forced me into a Hybrid/Stand Up style, coach always praised my rebound control and athleticism. They used to get so heavy though lol.

I’m 16 years old and I bought a pair of Louisville Cujo pads from the mid 90s, after my entire life of being able to butterfly slide to get where I need to go, I agree with every single statement, and it definitely boosts confidence being a bit bigger, also wearing old gear just makes me feel super cool lol

Excellent video. Thanks for showcasing the previous goaltending style.

Rigiht on VO! I have worn 1995 vintage Bauer Reactor pads for 20 years or so, and before that leather Cooper GP60s. Graf Goaler Pro with the "elf toe" and Vaughn catcher and blocker from about 2005 round out the gear. Still having a ball playing stand-up / hybrid style and confounding some younger players who expect me to automatically drop into a butterfly, which I don''t do. If I keep on my feet,, I can get where need to be faster (though at my age I don't always get there... on time.( and when it's time to sprawl, stack the pads or dive, you sell it out and work on ways to get up fast. Good workout! Your are completely right: Goaltenders must be athletic and SMART: read the body and stick language of the shooter, be aware of what's on the back and trailing side of the play, and talk to your defensemen. I'm always shouting "Play pass, look back side, don't chase 'em!" The other day craftsman of goaltenders equipment in northeastern Massachusetts and connoisseur of the history of the equipment, and I were talking about learning from goalies from the late 60s and early 70s that we watched on the CBS Game of the Week announced the immortal Dan Kelly (oh that just one just whistled wide!). Between awatching guys like the great Glen Hall and Jaques Plant, Bernie Parent, as well as Les Binkley, Eddie Giacomin and one of the most underrated and truly outstanding goaltenders of his time Gilles Meloche, ,and going out to the pond to emulate their moves, I learned a ton that way. With no formal goalie coaching, my textbook was a little booklet on playing in goal by Gerry Cheevers, which I got for 25 cents and two labels from Cain's Mayonnaise (does that make me a New Englander or what!). Cheever's pamphlet stressed SKATING and practicing movement in and out, up and down, post to post and controlling rebounds. He said, "If they score a goal, its your fault, but when you make any save and help your team win, that's mighty satisfying." Great words to live by from the day''s when "it's your fault" wasn't taken to harm the self-esteem of an athlete. Check out the video of the 1979 Bruins-Canadiens Stanley Cup semi-final series to see Dryden and Gilles Gilbert make c-cut skate saves and great sprawls and stacks ,an not a single butterfly drop! Great job VO. Being in net is art and science, and if you don't love it, it's not for you. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Quite a bit of my gear is from the early 90's to early 2000's. I still wear a CCM HT2 lid with some custom yellow tinted visors, my Hespeler shoulder and elbow pads are from 2002, I wear a Cooper/Bauer HM30 cage when in goal, my Jofa shin guards are from 1999 and my Tackla hockey pants are from 1994.

I’m a skater. Most of my gear is old school. I have shoulder pads that were my uncles from the like 70’s or something, held together with tape and paper clips. Shanahan style.

The Dominator was one of my personal heroes when I was a young goalie (teenager). He was confident, but I would say, more importantly, he was Hyper-Focused. If you watch any specials about him, he would "Stop the puck, that's it, I don't care how, just stop the puck". And he lived that mantra. His teammates would say he even treated every shot in practice that way. Plus, those TPS Icecap pads were SO slutty for their day.

I've picked up playing hockey (and tendy at that) this year. I got myself a used set of Reebok Premier pads that have been manufactured for a local Pro Goalie back in 2006. And they have seen some stuff - that Pro Goalie ended his career two years later and since then I'm the 8th owner. And they still are in great overall shape, certainly good enough for a beginner's beer league tendy. Sure, sliding around is way harder than with pads like the G4s, but I appreciate them for teaching me how much work I need to put into my game to be the best I can.

Love your shirt. I played in 90s. I used to stay on my feet and skate only dropping to my knees to save puck or “reach” for it with my legs or arms. My equipment was heavy, didn’t protect me well, but I was athletic. Nowadays goalies are calculating the odds and sliding across crease on their knees back and forth. So there’s less wear and tear on them with lighter equipment and designed to slide. Ferland trapper, Koho blocker, Koho, Sherwood Christian Curtis curve and Heaton sticks. Brian’s pads that would get waterlogged.

This is great!! Reminds me of being a kid.

I took a number of years off so now getting back into it the last few years... was using my cooper reactor 5 pads that I bought used in 94 up until last year. I bought a used set of Bauer one.9 pads to get the feel of the new style. What a difference. My skates are still early 2000 big cowling and short steal so sliding has proven difficult. I have a badger mask from the 90’s that’s going to be my next to replace. Bauer reactor Glove and blocker from 2006. Just switched from wood to composite stick, haven’t gotten a chance to play with it yet though. Still rocking there cooper reactor 5 pants from the 90’s, but I cut off the attatched thigh guards because the new pads have them. And I have an old Vaughn chesty from the 90’s as well. But I still like the feel of it and I’m not facing A level shots anymore so I’ll hold on to it for a while.

So well said Wayner. Hope the melon is feeling better. Keep making these awesome videos.

I have an older chestie that is 10 years old. I am going to have to replace it soon however as it is a little big now that I have lost about 35 pounds. I have upgraded my leg pads over the last few years and it sure has made a difference

Goalie camps in the early eighties pounded into our head skate saves and pad stacks, something that still comes out from time to time (muscle memory and lack of playing time) I’ve been very slow, and somewhat reluctant, to fully embrace the butterfly style, but after watching your vids and a few others I got some newer pads (still old, Reebok x), bungee toe ties, and I’m going to give it a whirl. At 52 I’m hoping it can extend my playing years. I’ve tried skating out a little for the last couple years and it just isn’t anywhere near as fun. I feel like some people are just hardwired to be goalies naturally. Keep up the good work, and go Bruins!

Great video! I would love to try this one day!

Up until this October I've been wearing my mid 90s Brown Elite black & copper pads Koho Lefebre catcher, Eagle blocker, Eddy kevlar mask, 'soggy' vaughan chesty, itech pants...Decided it's time to get new and learn some new tricks thanks for the great videos!

Just found this. I'm currently wearing 99 TPS Contour Pads, TPS Exhale glove and TPS Contour glove. All black and white. 99 itech Pro960 with cat eyes. Graf Goaler skates. And I just picked up one of the original composite sticks TPS made.... chrome Lundquist. And added a bike tire tube for the handle grip. Loving the old set up. Just feels right. And I feel the pucks. I totally agree, you need to read and react, and almost play offensively as a goalie. You can make players go where you want them to if you're good enough. Plus... stand up style messes with the young guys heads and if you're a step ahead of the old guys, they'll hit you with the puck.

Those pads are sweeeeeet! I remember a few years ago switching from my old Vaughn visions to modern butterfly pads. I was trying to stop shots while standing. And whiffed on many shots. It took me a few months to get into the drop down into the butterfly. I'm pretty comfortable now playing butterfly. But still toss out a pad stack now and then. Honestly aside from an awesome glove save , I like a solid pad save when the puck is zipping along the ice and i get down and am able to kick the rebound out where I direct my leg.

Love your vids keep up the good work

Some awesome points 👍🏻 awesome video as always sir!

Ccm 852 insta pump goal skates and a wooden Cooper goal stick. Used to wear Jofa 390 helmet and Itech RBE G for a mask, and a Cooper sk2000 and a Warwick HM30 cage.

Awesome video, this is exactly what I mentioned when I hated the ball hockey "style"! Just watched a semi-pro game and both goalies couldn't skate and handled the puck even worse! So sad!! When I was a goalie coach I used what was taught to me "by way old school" and "what at the time" was new from watching the early 80's NHL / IHL and my coach Jim Parks . Great video and better memories!!

i just got a free set of goalie gear and its old 90's gear. taking a shot at goal. so im in a beginner and older player league working on my tending. realizing how different modern goaltending is soo much different from the 90's

I've got two game goalie sticks signed by Olaf Goldzig and Byron Defoe before they made it to the NHL. They were playing for the Portland Pirates at the time.

I love the Curtis curve stick its great for poke checking ..... and I played roller hockey in old school brians pads you can not slide these pads on the floor so you learned to play a really athletic game lots of up and downs plus the puck was half the weight so those guys could really slap the crap out of it

Loved my Curtis Curve!

Great video man!

This video was really helpful keep up the good work

I still have some old Brian’s that were a replacement for I think were Koho’s that ended up breaking down to the point that duct tape was used and don’t do that. The rink was nice enough to give me the replacements. I still have the player helmet I got...20-25 years ago that I can only wear when playing out because it is so dented up. While you liked the extra size, I have always been more of a smaller pad person. My current pads are 32” g2s and the old pads are 30s. I started playing in more or less player gear. Shin guards, player pants, wore two winter coats, baseball glove and player glove. Yes, I’m a moron. What it did for me was teach me positioning and reaction. I am working on designs for trainer pads because I think that reducing coverage area is vital for being more conscious of your body parts.

Started my goalie career in 90's kit, only moved to new kit because it was all burrowed and needed my own. Other problem with all that kit was that a lot of the elastics and some of the padding had warn up, it had all been well used by previous goalies.

I so agree with all three points. Even though my Louisville are 'butterfly' personally I strive to resemble Martin Brodeur's hybrid style of play to force myself to read the play and react to the end. I still use T-Pushes to cross my crease area and avoid opening the top half of the net. Hockey troubleshooting, I like to call my thinkings. :)

Just found this video and I love it. Like Jay Freeze commented a lot of my favorites were mentioned from the 90s. I still have my John Brown JB210 pads I bought brand new in 1994ish..first year or 2 of the synthetic materials and foam instead of deer hair. They're as light as the modern pads but you better have good knee protection. I'm going to have them redone in black and red instead of current black and blue. I also rocked a used set of Heaton 10s in the Sabres red black silver pattern for 2 years. All time favorite gloves were Heaton Helite IV and Brown Rebel blocker. But I have to say the modern blockers are way more protective. Thanks for sharing this video. Keep the puck in front of you +

I’m still rocking my stuff from late 90’s high school mostly. Itech mask, Brian’s glove/blocker, chestie that was super used already in ‘95. Two sets of old leg pads, my original Vaughns and a Louisville set. Just inherited a pair of new style Reebok Premier 2’s, and worried I’m not even gonna know how to use them!

I've started getting hip issues. It hurts to get a wide butterfly, b-fly slide to the right or get a slide push with my right leg. I'm starting to go back to my old hybrid/reaction style so i dont automatically drop and do a lot of half-fly saves on less difficult shots. Finally saw some game improvements last night and am not limping around for 2 days afterwards. I am really seeing how I've given up a lot of my aggressiveness, active hands and reactions when I went to modern pads and started playing the percentages.

Wayne - I think you are more popular than ever now that you have hung up the gear. Look at all these comments! We all hope you return to the ice cuz U is the coolest!!

Just subed and I am a first time goalie. I’m in my mid 30’s started playing out in my early 20’s which was my first time playing. And now want to try playing net.

love the video !! i knew your be back, cuz your a goalie.

Yeah, I have a "few" old pieces of gear I wear 😂😂😂 Great assessment of the play style in comparison to gear era.

At 58 years of age, I have started wearing my old equipment from when I was 14. I started out strapping the pads on tight until I saw a picture of Glenn Hall. He wore his straps loose. So I loosened mine off completely. Guess what, You can do the slides the same way. Just leave toe straps really loose and the straps around the skates and calves. I am wearing my GM9 leather gloves, my felt chest pad, foam shoulder pads and leather Cooper leg pads (GP95L I think). That old equipment is almost the same weight as the new comparable equipment.

I rocked a Vaughn Velocity V2 with a custom V1 knee cradle set until the beginning of 2019. Your great, but as a Toronto Leafs fan I like just a bit less now. Hope you get well sooner than later, I really enjoyed your game videos.

I'm still rocking an old Itech C/A I bought new in 2005, and it doesn't really do much these days. Upgrading soon. I don't know if I'll be able to say goodbye.

I used copper pads forever. I was the only broke guy in the arena. But with my mismatched gear. I did fairly well. Now i have my warrior g4 set. It is amazing.

I use goalie equipment from 1975. its fun seeing reactions from guys in the locker room but i pay the price about an hour into a skate session.

I still wear a Gary Warwick helmet from 92 and a Vaughn catch glove that’s over 15 years old.

Hi Wayne, using approx. 20yr old BODDAM pads. But recently bought Brian's GNetik 8.0 to try and adapt the butterflystyle. Not easy when was taught, well you know 80's,90's goaltending techniques (i'm 52). I haven't tried them out in a game yet (worried will be a flop) but trying to get used to the pad being "loose and turning" on my leg. I wanted to thank you for your awesome videos!

I’ve had the same elbow pads since ip1

I'm not playing right now due to back problems but when I do play I still use my Lang goalie skates that I bought in 1978 when I was 16 years old so that makes the skates 41 years old... I think I got my money's worth out of them :)

If your in a beer league butterfly style is way more fun to play than newer hybrid versions. I like jumping around like hasek

Damn, but I miss my Curtis curve! And though I haven’t used them in a few years I still have my Bauer Reactor black and white pads.

I wear a red cooper sk2000 with a new hm30 cage! I love the old look. I also have a Rey hasek that will be replacing it once it’s painted

Still use ALL my equipment from the 90's (minus sticks that have all broken since). I'm honestly frightened to change any of it out b/c as you point out I'd have to learn how to play a whole new style of game...even if it's a lot less athletically intense. ~Brown Excel blocker & Brian's Beast catcher ~Brown Excel pads (Jamie Storr spec bought from an LA Kings equipment sale) ~Vaughn chest protector that provides FULL range of motion (I can easily reach my arms all the way across my chest) ~Old Bauer skates with loose blades ~Heavy duty (and just heavy) Eddy helmet ~and last but not least, Brown low cut paints for better range of motion

I still have my old first series Vaughn Velocity pads and gloves. Looking at getting a new glove. The blocker is still fine even after a couple repalmings.

Still using my old chesty! 15 or so years old...and I'm only about 100 lbs heavier than when I got it!

still using my Christian Curtis curve, My cousin still uses my old Heaton pads and gloves. He loves them so much I'd have to pry them off his corpse to get them back. Been repaired a million times or so. New stuff doesn't seem to last more than a season.

great video

I remember when I was young I tried goalie once, just flopped around like a fish lol

All 3 are so very true.

I like the old school pads more. The knee rolls that are vertical and wrap around without that seam just feels better and looks more professional and certainly more comfortable.

90's pads. Heck try late 70's/early 80's gear. Heavy leather and stuffing, soup bowl cups and 2 inch thick hard foam pants.

I used to wear my old school fibreglass face hugging mask to training.

GO B’s!!!! Following now 😂

I am using what I think is a first gen version of butterfly style pads from RBK. I believe they're 15-17 years old. I enjoy them but they are a very tired old set. Currently saving for a set of G4'S.

were you in a more current skate like a bauer pro 100 or like a pre 2006 Nike Bauer Supreme One90? how did you have the pads strapped? tight to the leg with toe, middle and heal straps? any flashing old kick saves?(if the skates had full cowlings?) i'd be interested if any kids today, like 16-20 could play the type of style we who played at that age range but in 1995-2000? i might challenge the kids i coach to try it. appreciate what you said about having to be an athlete. i clearly remember the early 90's and at camp during the summers the emphasis that started being pushed about goalies being the best skaters on the team etc. guess we got to good because they started limiting our area to skate and play the puck! nice video and content. got a new subscriber here! stay tendy bud

I no longer have my curtis curve. But i still have lots of old goalie and player gear that i still use. One set of Brown Elite as well.

Im still stand up style for the most part. Just got rid of my old louisville tps pads (because i had to) still rocking the old blocker and trapper though. The butterfly technique is by far more effective but so borring lol

Great Video. I haven't stepped on the ice in 20 years. So I have never played in the new style equipment. I just turned 40 but started to skate and play goal at 5. I've been wanting to get back on the ice. I have an old school pair of Brains like Felix Potvin. Can you still wear old Goalie Gear in the NHL? Good call on the Dominator. My top 5, pre 2000 goalies would be Potvin, Hashaek, Kelly Hrudey, Hexltal, Tretriak. Good Channel.👍👍

Yea, I hauled around the old GP 95 L's and a Northland Esposito pattern stick for a long time.....you sure did need to be in shape ..different world today...but I envy the guys with the newer gear and the butterfly slide.....

You also leave yourself more wiggle room when it comes to deflections and tips when you play a read/react game. I was always taught from a young age that as a goaltender I needed to be one of the strongest skaters on the team. Edge control and powerful movement is key to goaltending, although I’d argue most goalies today are caught WAY out of position and required to make an absurd save far less than their counterparts from even 10 years ago...

I use Aeroflex pads/gloves/blocker and a Montreal HMP177 strait blade stick.

Aeroflex, baby!

Wayne, any tips on a goaltender who made the move recently to a pair of G4's. Im used to playing with more of a hybrid style pad (older than 10yr old reboks). Im having difficulty with skating in the pads as im not used to them touching so much at the top as well as the stiffness. I know they are sized correctly, just can't seem to get used to them.

How is a goalie during that era started in 1964 and played up until 2008 I'm thinking of making a comeback LOL but I still want the old goalie pads maybe an old pair of John Brown's or get koneski to make me a set I've had two hip replacements so I'm definitely a stand-up goalie lol love your videos

I don't know how old it actually is, but my 8 year old uses a yard sale Victoriaville Pro wood stick and he loves it. From what I understand, it has to be nearing 15- 20 years old

Wayne!!!!!!! Been waiting for a new video! Go anyone but the leafs or habs!!!!

In high school my workout would always have leg day. Biggest leg strength builder was 3 sets of 12 to 15 at 450lbs on a leg press. Movements were easy back then.

When I came back after 5 years off, I had a pair of 12 inch sherwood cerberus 10's. Couldn't butterfly slide. I think modern techniques and equipment are just so much better now, I'm easily 30 lbs heavier (not good weight sadly) but twice as good. If I could go back in time, I'd totally wear modern 11 inch pads back then and do exactly what we do now.

The only gear I have left are my skates. CCM-652 Tacs. I got them in 2006.

I keep a set of ccm blockade for nostalgia purposes. occasionally sporting them on the odr, but never in a game.

i am still using equipment from 2010 reebok 7k lefevre amazing pads a little heavy but amazing comfort.

I’m not even a goalie and I love this guy. I am a forward