Early on

No one really knows when or where hockey was invented (Montreal, Halifax, Kingston), there are so many conflicting stories. A few things about hockey have always remained the same however: Two teams, ice, players with sticks shooting projectiles at a goal, guarded by a player whos sole job is to keep the projectile from entering that goal. That player is the goaltender!

It has been said that in 1886, "Montreal" rules were set at the Montreal Winter Carnival. The Rules concerning the goaltender would remain through the Fire World war:

"The goalkeeper must not during play, lie, kneel, or sit upon the ice, but must maintain a standing position."

The goaltenders equipment was no different than that of the rest of the team.

In 1896, the Ontario Hockey Association stated the role of the goaltender in the rules:

"The goalkeeper must not during play lie, sit, or kneel upon the ice; he may, when in goal, stop the puck with his hands, but shall not throw or hold it. He may wear pads, but must not wear a garment such as would give him undue assistance in keeping goal."

These rules held until goalies were given permission to drop to the ice with the start of the NHL (National Hockey League) in 1917.

Equipment

Since the rules did not allow goaltenders to wear special equipment to guard their goal, many early goalies did not play by the rules for long.

In Winnipeg, there was a goalie who is said to be the first to wear crickett pads in 1891.

In 1896, George Merritt of the Winnipeg Victorias was the first goalie to sport crickett pads during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Soon after, crickett pads were popular everywhere.

Around this time, standard goalie equipment consisted of a fur cap in the front of the pants, ordinary gloves, and a stick the same as the rest of the teams. Prior to the First World War, goalie sticks began getting thicker. In 1918, the rules allowed the width to be 3.5 inches, which still stands today.

Since goaltenders were allowed to stop the puck with their hands, their gloves went through some changes. In 1915, gloves with extra padding became available.

In 1924, Emil "Pop" Kenesky was credited with the invention of new and better goalie leg pads. His new pads were crickett pads, modified, and widened to approximately 12 inches. The new pads caught on extremely quickly, and this style of pad was used by a majority of goaltenders right on to the 1970's.

Bibliography:

A Bread Apart by Douglas Hunter

Equipment Images : http://www.classicauctions.net/inventory/goalie_equipment.htm