ITEM DESCRIPTION
This JOFA mask was painted and prepared for use for Arturs Irbe (while with the Canes) by his mask designer Tony Jarrett in 1999. Based on the wear on the mask, it is clear that a cage was once affixed to it indicating possible usage, either as a practice mask, or backup mask. There are also salt deposits in the metal on the inside of the mask, as well as on the metal buttons on the white part of the mask and the strap. It could be from Irbe's use, it could be that half of the mask was a repaint/redesign from a previous season, or the salt could be from the mask being second-hand as Irbe often had to find his masks in such a shape and shipped in from places like Sweden. This mask was originally acquired from the Hurricanes' former equipment manager Wally Tatomir. The inspiration behind tthe paint job was that allegedly Arturs wanted a mask depicting his native Latvia somewhere on it, however, he never ended up actually using it in games due to his affinity for not using new gear, possibly he did not like the design.
This JOFA mask was painted and prepared for use for Arturs Irbe (while with the Canes) by his mask designer Tony Jarrett in 1999. Based on the wear on the mask, it is clear that a cage was once affixed to it indicating possible usage, either as a practice mask, or backup mask. There are also salt deposits in the metal on the inside of the mask, as well as on the metal buttons on the white part of the mask and the strap. It could be from Irbe's use, it could be that half of the mask was a repaint/redesign from a previous season, or the salt could be from the mask being second-hand as Irbe often had to find his masks in such a shape and shipped in from places like Sweden. This mask was originally acquired from the Hurricanes' former equipment manager Wally Tatomir. The inspiration behind tthe paint job was that allegedly Arturs wanted a mask depicting his native Latvia somewhere on it, however, he never ended up actually using it in games due to his affinity for not using new gear, possibly he did not like the design.
SHORT BIO: Born on February 2, 1967, in Riga, Latvia, Irbe was drafted 196th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1989. Already a pro in the Soviet leagues since 1986-87, Irbe's pro career continued until 2006-07, seeing him play in Europe, the ECHL, IHL, AHL, and the NHL.
Irbe made his NHL debut for the San Jose Sharks on November 8, 1991 vs the Edmonton Oilers. Starting in goal, Irbe stopped 30 shots in a 6-2 win. His NHL career went from 1991-92 to 2003-04 and saw him play with the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, and Carolina Hurricanes. After retiring, he took up coaching, pre-dominantly overseas, though he did goalie coach in the NHL with the Washington Capitals (2009-2011), and the Buffalo Sabres (2014-15), even dressing as an EBUG with the latter. In his NHL career, Arturs Irbe appeared in 568 regular season games, going 218-236-79 with 33 shutouts, 9 assists, a 2.83GAA, and a 0.899% save average. In 51 playoff games, he went 23-27 with 1 shutout, a 2.91GAA, and a 0.900% save average. Among his career accolades include being named the Soviet League Rookie of the Year (1988), winning an IIHF World Championship Gold Medal (1989, 1990), winning the IHL Turner Cup (1992), recording the first shutout in San Jose Sharks franchise history (1992), appearing in the NHL All-Star Game (1994, 1999), leading the Carolina Hurricanes into the Stanley Cup Final (2002), representing Latvia in the Olympic Winter Games (2002, 2006), and being inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame (2010). |
YEAR: 1999
TEAM: Carolina Hurricanes GAME WORN? No, likely game-issued, possibly practice used. MANUFACTURER/MODEL: Jofa ACQUIRED FROM / LOA: Private collector, originally from Hurricanes' ex equipment manager, Wally Tatomir, no LOA DATES OF GAME USE: None NOTABLE MOMENTS: N/A PHOTOMATCHED: No AUTOGRAPHED: No AVAILABILITY: THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE/TRADE/DONATION |
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This Sher-Wood goalie stick was used by Arturs Irbe in the 1999-00 NHL season, most notably photomatcched to a November 20, 1999 shutout victory over the Dallas Stars.
This Sher-Wood goalie stick was used by Arturs Irbe in the 1999-00 NHL season, most notably photomatcched to a November 20, 1999 shutout victory over the Dallas Stars.
YEAR: 1999-00
TEAM: Carolina Hurricanes
GAME WORN? Yes
MANUFACTURER/MODEL: Sher-Wood
ACQUIRED FROM / LOA: Classic Auctions
DATES OF GAME USE:
Nov 20, 1999 vs Dallas (24-24, 1-0W)
Likely other earlier games as well due to heavy game wear
NOTABLE MOMENTS: N/A
PHOTOMATCHED: Yes
AUTOGRAPHED: Yes, autographed and inscribed
AVAILABILITY: THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE/TRADE/DONATION
TEAM: Carolina Hurricanes
GAME WORN? Yes
MANUFACTURER/MODEL: Sher-Wood
ACQUIRED FROM / LOA: Classic Auctions
DATES OF GAME USE:
Nov 20, 1999 vs Dallas (24-24, 1-0W)
Likely other earlier games as well due to heavy game wear
NOTABLE MOMENTS: N/A
PHOTOMATCHED: Yes
AUTOGRAPHED: Yes, autographed and inscribed
AVAILABILITY: THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE/TRADE/DONATION
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This Sher-Wood goalie stick was used by Arturs Irbe in the 2002-03 NHL season.
This Sher-Wood goalie stick was used by Arturs Irbe in the 2002-03 NHL season.
YEAR: 2002-03
TEAM: Carolina Hurricanes
GAME WORN? Yes
MANUFACTURER/MODEL: Sher-Wood
ACQUIRED FROM / LOA: gamewornuniforms.com
DATES OF GAME USE:
Unknown
NOTABLE MOMENTS: N/A
PHOTOMATCHED: No
AUTOGRAPHED: Yes
AVAILABILITY: THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE/TRADE/DONATION
TEAM: Carolina Hurricanes
GAME WORN? Yes
MANUFACTURER/MODEL: Sher-Wood
ACQUIRED FROM / LOA: gamewornuniforms.com
DATES OF GAME USE:
Unknown
NOTABLE MOMENTS: N/A
PHOTOMATCHED: No
AUTOGRAPHED: Yes
AVAILABILITY: THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE/TRADE/DONATION
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This broken Sher-Wood goalie stick was used by Arturs Irbe in the 2002-03 NHL season.
This broken Sher-Wood goalie stick was used by Arturs Irbe in the 2002-03 NHL season.
YEAR: 2002-03
TEAM: Carolina Hurricanes
GAME WORN? Yes
MANUFACTURER/MODEL: Sher-Wood
ACQUIRED FROM / LOA: Private collector
DATES OF GAME USE:
Unknown
NOTABLE MOMENTS: N/A
PHOTOMATCHED: No
AUTOGRAPHED: Yes
AVAILABILITY: THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE/TRADE/DONATION
TEAM: Carolina Hurricanes
GAME WORN? Yes
MANUFACTURER/MODEL: Sher-Wood
ACQUIRED FROM / LOA: Private collector
DATES OF GAME USE:
Unknown
NOTABLE MOMENTS: N/A
PHOTOMATCHED: No
AUTOGRAPHED: Yes
AVAILABILITY: THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE/TRADE/DONATION