Custom Noggins

St. Lawrence goalie Robby Moss is different.

He's the most prolific video gamer on the team; he rocked a Ron Burgundy mustache for Halloween — five years after the movie. And he has an unflappable desire to express himself through his appearance.

Whether it's his mustache, hair gel or, in the case of his goalie mask, which depicts a moose, he wants to be seen.

“Most goalies like to design helmets that involve something about themselves,” he said. “Some goalies have funny stuff; some goalies have serious stuff; and some goalies just have a moose on their helmet.”

Moss came to St. Lawrence from Missouri, where he played junior hockey in St. Louis. There, he had a blue helmet with music notes on the ears and the St. Louis Arch clearly displayed. As a Saint, he's a moose, also his team nickname.

“People might not get why mine's a giant moose, but the kids on the team do,” Moss said. “I thought it would be neat to have a crazy looking moose because that's kind of like my personality.”

Moss had the custom helmet designed by artist Ron Slater. Less than a month later, the mask was his.

“I just told him what I would like to have on my helmet,” Moss said. “He told me he'd have it ready in a week or two and that I'd like it.”

The paint job alone costs between $200 and $900 according to Slater's Web site. Couple that with the cost of the actual helmet ($200-$800) and the bill for Moss's moose could be more than the rest of his equipment combined.

“I think it's part of what the team pays for the goalies when they come here,” Moss said. “I think everybody has a helmet just to represent themselves. The moose is best because that's more of who I am today.”

Kain Tisi's Helmet

Kain Tisi also sports a custom helmet with a classic twist. The idea came from an old T-shirt and the Led Zeppelin “Zoso” album, also known as IV.

On the top of his helmet, there's an angel Tisi designed from the T-shirt. An artist in London, Ontario, took care of the rest. The St. Lawrence University seal is painted on one ear and on the other the university letters. A solid-rock structure wraps around the chin with “Saints” etched in it.

“I always loved classic rock,” Tisi said. “I thought the Saints was a good idea with the T-shirt. It turned out well.”

Tisi received his helmet when he came to St. Lawrence three years ago. Aside from a few dings and some near cracks, the armor has stayed in tact.

“That's because he's like a rock,” Moss said while Tisi explained his helmet.

Said Tisi: “It's pretty old. Right now, this is going to be my last one here.”

Sportswriter Daniel J. Cassavaugh covers St. Lawrence University hockey for the Times. For additional coverage, visit his “Casstle of the Saints” blog online at WatertownDailyTimes.com. You may reach him at dcassavaugh@wdt.net