Butterfly vs. Hybrid Goalie Leg Pads
Goalies generally play one of two styles in today’s game: butterfly or hybrid.
Butterfly goalies focus on positioning and blocking to make saves, moving less in the crease. Their leg pads are typically rigid to increase rebound distance and often feature one or no breaks below the knee. Popular models include the CCM Axis, CCM Premier, and Bauer Supreme lines.
Hybrid goalies focus on reacting to stop the puck, unlike butterfly goalies, who prioritize blocking. They aim to catch and trap pucks to minimize rebounds, using softer leg pads with multiple knee breaks for better mobility. Top choices for hybrid goaltenders include the Vaughn Velocity and CCM Extreme Flex lines.