Up for sale is a Jiri Crha goalie mask that was originally obtained from Crha and later auctioned off by Classic Auctions. Czechoslovakian defector Jiri Crha wore this mask when he played two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1979-81. Crha, who played for Czechoslovakia at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, appeared in 69 games with the Leafs over two seasons, posting a 28-27-11 mark overall. Crha wore this cage-mask combo with Toronto and then repainted it in Minnesota's green and yellow colors when he was signed on an emergency contract by the North Stars. Obtained from Jiri Crha, this game-worn mask comes with its backplate, straps and chincup, with some interior padding intact and some missing.
Famed goalie mask maker Greg Harrison removed Crha's North Stars paint job and did small touch-ups and added a clear-coat protection finish over it. Some of the green and yellow paint is still visible in the venting holes. Game wear includes cracks on the chin and above the left eye. From my own research, I do not believe this was worn in the 79-81 era.
Video of Crha from late in the 80-81 season still has him wearing his full face mask mask, not a combo. I do believe he wore this in preseason action, as he was still Leafs property in in 81-82 and 82-83. As well, the one picture I can find of him wearing it, you can clearly see he has no name on the back of his jersey (which the Leafs would have only done in preseason).
Crha may have also tried this out in 80-81 regular season action but I cannot confirm that. The blue on the mask also seems more royal blue than the picture so either a the picture is just dark or b Greg Harrison did more than just a few touch ups. That being said, it is still a great Greg Harrison made mask of Leafs goalie from an era where masks still had personality. The item "Game Worn Used Jiri Crha Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Mask Greg Harrison Jersey" is in sale since Saturday, November 17, 2018. This item is in the category "Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop\Game Used Memorabilia\Hockey-NHL\Jerseys". The seller is "markfive44" and is located in Whitby, Ontario. This item can be shipped worldwide.