GREG HARRISON: “The Master” (circa mid 1970’s to present)

      Greg Harrison made his first professional mask for Jim Rutherford of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1974, (Rutherford's mask was actually a copy of Giacomin's Higgins mask and it was so good that Giacomin ordered a mask from Harrison.). Harrison is a master mask maker, as he combines the perfect combination of skills; both as an artisan and an artist. Harrison credits Roy Weatherbee as his mentor. Weatherbee taught Harrison the importance of understanding the properties of fiberglass; impact resistance, flex, strength etc. Harrison was also quite innovative as he made improvements in the design of the mask, extending the mask to protect the throat. Harrison was also the first real mask artist as he went beyond simple logos and graphics. By the mid 70’s Harrison was the premiere mask maker for all professional goalies.

     Harrison studied art and design at York University in Toronto while playing for the York Yeoman. He went on to play senior “A” hockey in Barrie Ont. and continued his elite level of playing as a Leaf practice goalie.

      Harrison's masks are precision works, each eye - hole exactly the same as the other. The finish and symmetry of his masks is as perfect as possible. He and Homuth set the standard for craftsmanship for all mask makers. Harrison’s paint work was also brilliant in that incorporated every aspect of each individual goalie; from the goalies personality to the team logos and colours. Most importantly, Harrison understood the importance of graphics working when viewed from all angles in an arena. His art work may seem simple compared to many of today’s masks (many of which resemble Iron Maiden album covers), however Harrison’s design genius is apparent when one studies mask design, his ventilation holes never break up the flow of the art work.  Harrison’s mask design was versatile as well. Unlike Higgins and Homuth who pretty much kept to their own proven designs, Harrison was innovative. His long masks like Liut’s extended in a straight line from the nose past the chin to protect the neck were masterpieces. He combined this design with the compact design of Higgins mask that wrapped under the chin in his masks like Meloche’s North Stars mask and Bannerman’s mask.. which wrapped under the chin but also incorporated a ridge from the nose an on the forehead so the puck would glance off the mask upon impact. Harrison made masks that resembled the Higgins design, like Rutherford’s, Herron’s and Meloche’s Barons mask (an amazing work of art). On these he kept the weaved texture of the fiberglass (like Higgins but in a more even and consistent manner). On his Liut style masks his finishes were as smooth as glass never so much as a paint sag. Pelle Lindbergh’s mask also demonstrated Harrison’s design versatility as he took Plante’s Fibrosport design and improved upon it. Like Homuth (and unlike Higgins), Harrison used very little padding on the inside relying on the sound structure of the mask to absorb and disperse the energy from the impact of the puck. On the Liut style mask Harrison incorporated a hinged bib to protect the throat. Billy Smith and Wayne Stephenson both used this style of mask but the concept never really caught on. There is no question that Greg Harrison set the standard for mask makers and mask artists.

      By the late 70’s, when face masks were being replaced by cage and helmets, Harrison (aided by Dave Dryden) had began to work on the prototypes for the present day “combo” mask. which combines the safety, and cool air flow of the cage with the snug fit and impact resistance of the fiberglass mask. Though there are many different styles of masks available today none really deviate from Harrison’s original ingenious design. He padded the forehead area and sides and added in a chin cup which acted as stabilizer for the mask resulting in maximum comfort and protection. Harrison never mass produced his masks, he stayed a true artisan believing that each individual’s head is different and in order to achieve maximum comfort, fit and protection each mask had to be custom molded. I hope you enjoy the Harrison gallery

* Legal Disclaimer *

All masks made by the featured maskmakers are designed to protect the head and face from superficial injuries, they are not designed to protect from neck or spinal injuries. Ice hockey and other contact sports can be dangerous. No protective equipment will eliminate all injuries, If you wear a mask made by the featured maskmakers when you play hockey it is implied that you accept the risk of injury.

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