Who was the first post-1950's NHL goalie to wear a protective mask in a regular season game?

Although NHL Hall of Fame member Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens had been using what is now considered a crude form of a fitted fibreglass mask during practices, it was a broken nose incurred during a game against the New York Rangers in November 1959, that proved to be the turning point for the wearing of a mask.

His coach, Toe Blake, didn't want it worn but returning to the game after being stitched up, Plante was adamant that he wouldn't play without it. They had no backup goalie so Blake relented. They won the game 3-1 and then the Canadiens went on an 18-0 winning streak with Plante wearing the mask. That year the Canadiens won their fifth straight Stanley Cup, which was Plante's last.

Plante continued to design new masks and today's version, using a fibreglass and wire cage combination affords excellent protection with good visibility.

There are no goalies now in any sanctioned league who play without a mask. And to add to the safety of goalies, most leagues have a rule that play must be immediately terminated should the goalies' mask come off.

He was not the first NHL goaltender known to wear a face mask. Montreal Maroons' (1924 to 1938) Clint Benedict wore a crude leather version in 1930 to protect a broken nose, but Plante introduced the mask as everyday equipment.