Denis Savard's JOFA Helmets

Denis Savard, a highly recognized hockey hall of famer, for many of his earlier years with the Montreal Canadiens wore what is a true JOFA helmet rarity. He seems to have worn a JOFA 290 helmet without ear protection, with the back piece of the helmet identical to that of the later produced JOFA 366; which for ease of identification, I will dub Savard's helmet the JOFA 266.

Denis Savard, a highly respected hockey hall of famer, for many of his earlier years wore what is a true JOFA helmet rarity. He seems to have worn a JOFA 290 helmet without ear protection, with the back piece of the helmet identical to that of the later produced JOFA 366; which for ease of identification, I will dub Savard's helmet the JOFA 266.

Above shows Mats Naslund playing for Team Sweden during the 1980's. He is wearing a JOFA 290 helmet, notice that there is ear protection, even though it has the same "armadillo" front piece of the helmet as Savard's.

Later in his career, Savard used the JOFA 366 that I have previously discussed; he likely began using the JOFA 366 once it was made available. Notice the lack of a "366" bumper, and instead a faux leather tab that bolts through the cage mounting holes on the forehead; signifying it was an early version of the JOFA 366. 

On Savard's retrun to the Chicago Blackhawks, he continued using the JOFA 366.  As the more recent photos show (below), his new JOFA 366 helmets have the "366" bumper on his forehead instead of the faux leather tab.

Savard was one of the first North American players to professionally wear a JOFA helmet, proving you don't need to be Scandinavian to wear one!