The Spectrum

Issue date: 12/1/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: The Spectrum/ Travis Flynn Smith's mask strikes fear in the hearts of opponents.

The goaltender's facemask in ice hockey is one of the most customary and personal pieces of equipment in sports. The goalie is able to expose a piece of his personality and intimidate shooters at the same time.

Jason Smith of St. Lambert, Quebec is the starting goalie for the Sacred Heart men's ice hockey team. Smith stands out on the rink with his intimidating devil facemask of his own design.

"I've had an obsession with devils since I was little," Smith said. "The mask is personal and is a way to set myself apart from other goalies."

Smith designed the mask his freshman year and it was painted by the famous mask artist Stéphane Bergeron of Montréal, Quebec.

Bergeron works for the world-renowned mask manufacturing company, ITECH, where he paints masks for some of the most elite professional hockey goaltenders.

"Smith's facemask is unique," said Drew Sanders ofModesto, Ca., who feels Smith acheived his intended effect.

"His mask is frightening with the neat and evil painting of devils across the mask,' Sanders said.

Before Smith got his new mask, he had been wearing the same mask for over eight years.

He bought his old mask when he was 10, and got it painted three years later with a devil design similar to the one on his present facemask.

"What's ironic about it all is that when I was seventeen, I was drafted by the NHL's New Jersey Devils," Smith said. "Their logo is a Devil."

However, the cost for the work done on the mask by ITECH was not cheap. "It was $350 for the painting," Smith said.

"I wanted the mask to look really mean and express my inner personality and feelings that I feel when I am out there playing," Smith said.

When Smith looks down at the ice, the devil's eyes face his opponents.

"As a goalie, I am the teller, one of the main people out on the rink. The goalie is like the quarterback on a football team, so the facemask is a big part of this," Smith said.

Smith did not play for the Devils, and instead went on to play collegiate ice hockey. Although, his devil mask may have a possible future in the NHL once Smith is done playing in college.

Smith was recently awarded with the Atlantic Hockey goalie of the week at the end of October. He will continue to lead the team in the goaltending position this season.

While Smith's mask disguises him as a devil on the ice, the Business major does not bear a resemblance to anything evil off the rink.

In fact, you've probably passed him in the hallway without ever recognizing his 'inner devil.'

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