WALLACEBURG ARTS: Where art meets sport: Goalie mask designer visits Oct. 25

For example, when I started teaching at Wallaceburg District Secondary School, a coach who I will not vilify publicly, told one of my band members that they had to choose either music or the sport they were coaching, and it had zero to do with conflicting practice times. 

It’s a silly battle at best because regret often sets in in one’s golden years when one realizes what they have missed out on.   

Personally, I’ve always loved sports. I didn’t play many of the organized minor sports simply because I was too small, but engaged in many pick-up games of baseball, hockey, floor hockey, football and badminton, and finally mustered-up the courage to sign-up to play lacrosse in my late teens. 

However, I’m aware of the fact that in many cases, young people have been pressured by external forces to choose one path exclusively over the other. I happen to have always loved both and do not apologize.  

While there are many sports lovers who will have nothing to do with the arts, I’m also aware that there are probably just as many artistic folks who have nothing to do with the sporting world. I maintain that these two areas of interest are not mutually exclusive, and one can take part in, and enjoy both.    

It may be rare, but art can actually meet sport, and when it does, it’s magical and my topic for this week. 

Brent DeNure is a good friend, a member of our Wallaceburg Concert Band (trumpet), a phenomenal piano player, a former Junior hockey goalie of note, publisher of three different high-end historical publications, has connections like no one I know (ex. he has Don Cherry on speed dial) and is a director on our Wallaceburg Arts Council.  

One of the magazines Brent publishes is titled Vintage Tendy. Being a former goalie himself, this incredible magazine features stories and interviews with legendary NHL goaltenders. If you are a hockey buff, you must read this magazine! The pictures and print quality are off the charts.  

Brent has tentacles deep into NHL goalie circles and along with his past personal goaltending experience (he dressed alongside Brent Gretzky when playing Port Huron and has some great stories) and knowledge of the game, has formed many friendships along the way. 

One of the most fascinating people is Greg Harrison. 

While in his early 20s Greg developed techniques to mold and form fibreglass goalie masks. After honing his skill in ways never before seen, he went on to design some of the most beautiful and iconic goalie masks ever made. 

His masks incorporated curves, symmetry, balance and were crafted of the finest materials, offering the best protection possible after decades of horrific head and face injuries suffered by goaltenders who previously wore no head and face protection.  

When Greg added red wings above the eyes of Jim Rutherford’s mask in 1973, a new dawn was introduced to the decoration of goalie masks. Greg was the first (and one of only two) who engineered, designed, fabricated and painted masks. 

Through the 1970s, Greg’s masks became iconic with some of the most popular designs being those he made for Gilles Gratton (New York Rangers), Wayne Thomas (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Rick Heinz (St. Louis Blues). 

In 1977, Greg collaborated with Dave Dryden, of the WHA’s Edmonton Oilers to develop the first cage-combination mask – a design which was adopted (without IP royalties or credit) by many companies and now 45-plus years later is still the design standard for all goalie helmets, NHL or otherwise. 

On the silver screen, his masks were used in Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze’s cult classic Youngblood, Doug and Bob McKenzie’s Strange Brew and, in the early 1990’s, Greg made the masks for (and played the position of goaltender) in the major motion picture The Cutting Edge.  

Some of Greg’s most popular masks in the 1990s were made for Felix Potvin (Maple Leafs), Daren Pupa and Clint Malarchuk (Buffalo Sabres), Tim Cheveldae (Detroit Red Wings), Fuhr (Maple Leafs), Curtis Joseph, (St. Louis Blues), the wildly popular shark mask worn by Brian Hayward (San Jose Sharks) and the iconic eagle mask worn by Ed Belfour of the Chicago Blackhawks.  

Brent himself has an amazing collection of original and reproductions of many iconic goalie masks. Seeing them up-close, they are amazing works of art.  

Through Brent’s close connection with him, the great news is that Greg Harrison is coming to Wallaceburg!  

On Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., Greg Harrison will be making a presentation at the Sydenham Curling Club. Greg will be sharing stories, pictures and insight from his more than 35 years working with the biggest names in the NHL.  

Also on the bill is popular former NHL player Kraig Nienhuis, who will be performing with his band. I last saw Kraig and his band when they were the opening act for the Beach Boys in Sarnia, and they are fantastic! 

This is a golden opportunity for hockey fans, artists and music fans, to experience an incredibly rare evening where art meets sports. Ticket cost is $50 and are available in advance at WallaceburgArtsCouncil.com, or by calling 519-381-0061.