Headlines from the past is a recurring feature looking back at stories we've covered over the past 40+ years.
A fledgling business started by Port Moody graphic artist Mike Bardaric and his colleague, Tony DeLuca, was bringing old goalie masks worn by legendary crease minders like Jacques Plante, Gerry Cheevers and Ken Dryden back to life.
Bardaric and DeLuca handcrafted replicas of the fibreglass face protectors, complete with their sometimes elaborate paint jobs, for sale to collectors.
The pair researched their creations by looking at thousands of photos in old magazines and snapshots they took during visits to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
“We don’t want to cheat,” said Bredaric of their fastidious attention to detail, that also includes accurate measurements for each mask.
DeLuca crafts the masks while Bredaric paints them.
The masks don’t come with straps. Instead they’re mounted on wooden panels for display.
Bredaric, who grew up in Bosnia, said the masks capture moments of hockey history.
“After reading all the books I have about hockey, I probably know more than most Canadian people,” he said.
The Tri-City News has covered civic affairs, local crime, festivals, events, personalities, sports and arts in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody since 1983. Bound back issues of the paper are available at the Coquitlam Archives, while digital versions of several past years can be found at issuu.com.
