On November 1, 1959, Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens changed hockey history forever by wearing a facemask, becoming the first NHL goaltender to incorporate it into a regular-season game.

Ironically, it was the day after Halloween. Plante had opted to wear the custom-made fiberglass mask following a severe cut to his nose and lip caused by a shot he had taken in the face by the New York Rangers' Andy Bathgate during the first period. Despite the injury, the Canadiens triumphed with a 3-1 victory, prompting Plante to commit to using the facemask as part of his standard gear.

“It's the coming thing in the game,” said Montreal coach Toe Blake. “The time will come when they'll have an even better mask than Plante's and it'll be standard equipment for goalies.”

At that time, Plante, in his seventh NHL season, initiated the creation of the mask after suffering from fractured cheekbones in previous games. A Montreal hospital crafted a tight plaster mold of his face, which was then handed over to experts to construct the mask. Before employing the mask during regular games, Plante extensively tested it during practices and exhibition matches.

The Pro Hockey Hall of Fame website notes that in 1930, goaltender Clint Benedict of the Montreal Maroons experimented with a protective cover over his nose and part of his face. However, this makeshift shield obstructed his vision, particularly for low shots, leading him to discard the primitive form of protection.

As predicted by Blake, the use of masks among goaltenders eventually became a standard practice. The last goalie to forgo wearing a mask was the Pittsburgh Penguins' Andy Brown in 1974.

Jacques Plante, renowned as one of the NHL's finest goaltenders, earned induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978. His remarkable legacy persisted until his passing in 1986, leaving an indelible mark on the sport through his innovative contribution to goaltending equipment.