I have been wanting to meet Tony Priolo of Sportmask for some time now. Of course, I was intrigued to learn more about the man who developed the MAGE, about his custom molding and all the pro clientele he works with. The big reason though, that I wanted to meet Tony, was his customer service. I had been reading on the Goalie Store boards one day and saw an amazing story pop up. Tony had let someone take some old defective masks from his shop. He did it on the promise that they never be used and never be sold. Long story short, the guy did sell them. When a buyer contacted Tony because his mask was defective, what did Tony say? He apologized. He said he did not sell it to the guy and in a world where most people would have stopped there (it’s not my problem!) Tony offered – even insisted, because the guy actually wasn’t asking for a new one – to replace the mask. That is standing by your product and providing remarkable service.
Not long ago, I had the opportunity to drop in on Tony at his Sportmask shop in Oakville, Ontario to see the inner-workings of the construction of some of the best masks in the business. Tony and client Tim Thomas created the MAGE that Thomas has worn for years and he counts other pros like Jonathan Quick, Cam Ward and Chris Mason amongst his many satisfied customers.
Tim Thomas wears the Sportmask MAGE. Photo by Scott Slingsby.
Please check out the entire photo tour after the break!
Tony is justifiably proud of his work – beginning like many as a goaltending-obsessed youngster he has turned his love of the sport into his passion and his livelihood. I’m sure lots of us have dreamt of getting out the fiberglass and making a new lid – but Tony took that first step long ago and ran with it. He’s no hobbyist in his basement. Tony is a professional who engineers some of the finest masks in the world and prides himself on the best quality control in the business.
I hope you enjoy this photo tour of the Sportmask shop. Take a few minutes to visit Tony’s web site and learn a bit about his great masks.
Tony shows us a rack of stock T3 masks before they are cut for retail.
Tony's pride and joy - the puck cannon.
Tony is proudest of his quality control. He had this “puck cannon” made to fire pucks at new masks and test their integrity. How much can they handle? Check out the steel plate behind the head. When it was first built there was only the steel mesh there. A 400 km/hr flying puck tore through it like butter.
Tony tests masks made from every new batch of materials he receives to be sure his masks are always the best. And yes, he did once send an entire batch of cloth back because a mask didn’t stand up to his testing. His supplier had sent him new cloth from a different (read, offshore) supplier.
You can tell when a pro is wearing a Sportmask by the distinctive cage. Note the flat center bar and the logo engraved. This is Tony's "signature" because the NHL requires fees in the tens of thousands to permit a company name on gear.
Chris Mason's next mask gets the finishing touches after being removed from the mold.
Masks just out of the mold don't look much like the finished product on a store shelf!
One half of the mold. Unlike the old days the cloth isn't laid on a positive image of the face anymore - it is sandwiched between two halves of a mold and vacuum cured.
Tony and Jacques Plante
A real fan of the game, Tony was excited to learn a client had an original Jacques Plante mask. Tony was allowed to take a mold of the inside of the mask – since the original mask was made from a mold of Plante’s face this cast he made from the mold reveals some of the exact contours and even marks on the legendary goalie’s face.
Vintage masks aren't a big part of the business - but remain an important part for Tony who is a real fan of the guys who laid the foundation for today. Can you recognize this famous one?
Hundreds of Sportmask cages await their masks.
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13 Responses to Meet Hockey’s Grandmaster Mask Maker – SportMask Tour with Tony Priolo
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Flat center bar invented/first used by Dom at Pros Choice.
I’ve played with a couple lids, and Sportmask is best I’ve ever used, hands down. I’ve taken plenty of slappers to the face and have never had my bell rung wearing a Sportmask. I’ve even taken shots to the side of the head, where other masks aren’t quite as protective, and still have never been shaken by a shot. Well done Tony!
I wear a Sportmask Razor – on it’s 4th year, third cage.
It is an absolute tank of a mask.
Thanks Tony my head salutes you!
I have 2 Sportmasks, my 1st was just retired after using it about 8 years, my 2nd just got a new paint job and is now in service!
what I wouldn’t give to paint a Razor
Hi Kris, what model did you just retire?
I just retired the Razor VX, (And honestly I retired it cause the paint was taking a beating and it needs a refurb. It still could be used with no issues) and I searched for about 6 months until I found another one, I love that mask!
And Gerry If you need a Razor to practice on….heheh
When I started playing hockey when I was really young I used a helmet/cage combo due to its lower cost and eventually got into the habit of wearing one. After several attempts at trying to switch over to a mask I couldn’t so I was wearing player helmets lacking sufficient protection to play goal in. Then I found out about the Mage, tried one on and instantly fell in love with it. I’ve taken a few dingers to the head and have never felt a thing. Without compromising the vision and feel of an h/c combo the mage successfully provides oustanding protection. Tony is a true visionary!
Fifth picture from the bottom. “Masks just out of the mold don’t look much like the finished product on a store shelf!” Those are not shells from a mold. They are templates.
My son is 10 and playing in elite AAA hockey, so is going up against some other kids who can really rip the puck. After seeing his off-the-shelf mask get dented by some hard slappers, we forked out for a Sportmask. Not only was it significantly lighter than the older mask (a big plus for a young goalie), but he has since taken multiple shots off the head and not lost a beat. Just recently he caught a blast off the point right on the forehead. He was back in position and looking for the second shot before the ref blew the whistle, figuring my son must’ve been suffering from the shot. No such thing. A great investment on our part.
Not only is Tony priolo the legendary master mask designer and builder, he also plays drums , and he’s also a perfectionist on them!.Check it out..
Tony is on utube . Search taurusdrummer
would like to know if u r coming out with a larger version of the mage rs size 24 xl according to ryan messier of hockey geeks you r working on it please get back to me thanks fernando