Expert: T. Martina - 4/20/2009

Question
when was the slap shot allowed , was it after goalies started to wear masks  my friend  say it was always allowed but i disagree please help settle this for us thanks joe

Answer
Hello Joe,

This is very tough because no one really knows who the first person to use/invent the slap shot really was.  BUT, there was one player who is credited for bringing it to the league in all its glory and that was in the 1950s with Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion of the Montreal Canadiens.  Since Jaques Plante first made/used the first goalie mask in 1959... I believe it is safe to say that the slap shot came first.  I think your friend is right! :)

Hope this helps!

T