| Jim Murphy |
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I grew up playing hockey in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in the 1970's. I vividly remember it was the mysterious, stolid look
of the goaltenders face masks that compelled me to be a goalie. I played my minor hockey in "the Soo" and wore a Jacques Plante
Fibrosport mask and in 1976 (my 2nd year of Bantam hockey) I wanted a custom fit mask made by Jim Murphy, a local mask maker.
Murphy’s masks cost around $150.00 back then and my parents felt that a custom made mask was a bit too extravagant for
a 14 year old kid. Besides my Plante mask was more than adequate. So my friend, Tom Alisat and I decided to make our own.
Eventually, I called Jim Murphy up and asked him for some pointers. He was more than willing to take me “under his wing”
and teach me everything he knew about working with fiberglass and making masks. Most importantly he taught me to take my time,
to be meticulous and to take pride in my craftsmanship These lessons I have never forgotten. I started making masks for some
of my goalie friends in “the Soo” around this time, one of them being Jim Ralph who wore one of my masks for part
of his Junior career playing for the Ottawa 67’s.
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| Rod Manda |
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| Rod Manta wearing a Jim Murphy mask circa 1974. |
In 1979 I was drafted by the Niagara Falls Flyers and struggled through a mediocre Junior career, during which time I
had little time to make masks. Discouraged I quit hockey for my second passion (music, but that’s a whole other web
page) and when my band broke up I decided to play goal again. In my first season out of retirement I was fortunate enough
to get spotted again and recruited to play University hockey at St. Thomas University. In the 1980’s all face masks
were banned from amateur hockey and I had to wear a helmet and cage. After University I decided to start making masks again
around 1989 when I was playing Senior “A” hockey.
Presently, I make both combination masks and vintage masks; however I still prefer to make and wear vintage
masks. If you’re interested in ordering a custom made mask e-mail me at: gandl@nb.sympatico.ca call (506) 473-5444
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