This spectacular goalie mask was game worn by Roger Crozier while in goal for the Buffalo Sabres during the 1970's. Crozier entered the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings in 1963-64, where he played 15 games, following what was a stellar and highly decorated minor league career. The Red Wings management was so impressed with Roger that they exposed Terry Sawchuk in the waiver draft and lost him to Toronto. Handed the full time job between the pipes in 1964-65, his first complete NHL season, Roger led the NHL in games played with 70, Wins with 40 and shutouts with 6. He was the well deserved winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie.

The following season saw Roger again lead the league in games played and shutouts. His incredible play led his team all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals where they eventually fell at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens in a hard fought 6 game series. Crozier’s play was so outstanding that, despite being on the losing team, he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

Injuries and ill-health prevented Crozier from building upon his legendary early career successes. In June of 1970, Crozier was traded by the Red Wings to the expansion Buffalo Sabres where he would serve to stabilize the young franchise. The city of Buffalo loved Crozier and in 1974-75 he regained the form of his youth, posting 17 Wins vs. only 2 losses and a tie and helped lead the Sabres to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. Crozier’s untimely death in January of 1996 saddened the entire hockey community. The Buffalo Sabres paid homage to the man by wearing his player number “1” on their game jerseys for the remainder of that season.

This heavy duty white fiberglass mask shows fantastic game use. The crude interior padding is well worn and mostly intact. A real treat are the original straps and the back plate which amply show NHL battle scars. Game worn goalie masks are among the hobbies most collectible items. Being the most personal of a goalie’s equipment, these gems rarely come to market. Worthy of display in the Hockey Hall of Fame, this mask was acquired directly from the estate of Roger Crozier and comes with the estate letter.