Ice hockey goalie wearing a player helmet?

Question

I just started playing goalie, and the goalie mask I "inherited" from a friend is too big and heavy, after a while, it gets in the way of my eyes. I was wondering what what the safety issues are if I just wear my normal players helmet with cage and a neck protector? I play in a rec league with beginner to advance beginner players, barely any slapshots, and when there are, its usually still on the ice, not flying. I also play with the 12 and under kids for practice. Reason I cant buy a goalie helmet that fits me right now is cuz i'm in asia and they dont sell it. i wont be able to buy one til i get back to the US towards christmas time

Answer 1

That would work, and it's pretty common in youth leagues, since they rotate goalies among team members often enough.

used to be pretty common at the pro level too. Still one holdout, Chris Osgood. Hasek too, but he retired.

OH, make sure you get a good player helmet though. Don't get that intro level c**p. Get something either top of the line or second to top of the line.

And oh yeah- get a neck guard. Like this: http://hockeygiant.com/itchn17nkprt.html

And one of these (should have one anyway for goalie)

http://hockeygiant.com/nbhnckprotrsr.htm...

Answer 2

I've refereed for 22 years (mostly oldtimers) and have seen many guys take one off the bean! Go on Ebay or Craigslist and buy the proper mask.

Answer 3

i have seen it done many times and I play rep hockey ("A" team if you want to call it that) and it is fine as long as you have the proper neck protection. you should be able to take it to the nearest hockey store and they should be able to tell you if its safe, if not... find a new hockey store

Answer 4

I don't think you should risk it. I've had friends get hurt pretty bad by wearing a regular player helmet. Buy one online.

Answer 5

goaliemonkey.com will have what you need and you need a true goal mask. On a goal mask there are no flat spots so the impact from a puck will disperse the shock and not concentrate it on one spot (flat spot)

Answer 6

make sure that neck guard covers your neck good enough. you never know.

Answer 7

i think it should be fine as long as you have a cage.

Answer 8

No immediate safety issues until you get to a higher level of play.  I personally wouldn't be able to wear a regular cage in net for too long, but then again I wear Chris Osgood's helmet and not the modern goaltending helmet and cage.  I sacrificed safety for vision and it only came back to haunt me once.  I still wouldn't play with any other mask, but the fact that your helmet impedes vision would make me look a little harder as well.  You could gamble and buy one online that may or may not fit, or wait until Christmas.

Answer 9

The cage on regular helmet has more squares in it and will therefore block your view a lot more than the goalie mask will.

I also think that the goalie masks are thicker than the regular helmets because goalies fall a lot more than the other players and they get pucks on the helmets and stuff and by their masks being thicker, the avoid concussions and all.

If you decide to play with a regular helmet, make sure that your neck is well protected because one puck in the throat could f you up for awhile.

Answer 10

It shouldn't be a problem as a ex-keeper myself I have worn all kinds of helmets,masks,cages and what have you. You are correct in going toward something that fits better because fit=safe.A small few NHLers still where that style and if it survives the pro level you are in good standings.

Not to mention that is what we wore before fiberglass goalie masks where mass produced.

Answer 11

Not a good idea. Sorry :/

A regular helmet is the problem not the neck guard. Seriously I know regular helmets are able to take a puck, but not shot after shot. The neck guard part is fine,but take it from me there has been more injuries.

Your Choice. :D

Answer 12

It is commonplace for the younger kids to wear a skaters helmet in net. with the shots not flying at any decent velocity, you'll be golden. Even so, Hasek wore a skaters helmet and mask for all these years and was never affected, Osgood's lacrosse helmet does him well. The new age masks are designed so a puck cannot hit it square, it always deflects the blow to the sides

Answer 13

Yeah, it should be fine as long as you protect your neck. Then you just need to make sure you have a decent helmet that can take a puck to it. I think the It's not the most "stylish" but it does the job. Osgood does it, but he has a special cage. His helmet is a cooper I think.

Answer 14

Try wearing a sweatband, skullcap/doo-rag under your mask for some added "bulk" to help keep it in place.  You should be able to adjust the mask.

"If" you go to the player helmet, get a specialty goalie cage that can withstand shots; the neck protector is good; I'd also wear a dangler.

I had a player helmet crack from slapshot; a good reminder of why this isn't the best idea.

Answer 15

First few times I played goalie, I wore a player helmet with cage + neck protector. (Cooper HH 3000 if it matters)

If you can buy some additional padding and have it put into the goalie helmet. Use of a "doo-rag" (kinda looks like a yamulkha) will take up some of the excess room as well.

The weight is more because you're not used to it.

But in the end, it's your safety on the line.