[Dion]

Benedict was responsible for a significant rule change that allowed goalies to leave their feet to stop the puck. It's hard to believe in an era of goaltending acrobatics, but goalies used to be assessed a two-minute penalty for falling on the ice to make a save. Benedict made an art out of the "accidental" fall on the puck, and in February 1918, during the NHL's first season, the rule was changed.

He also was way ahead of his time in another area that fans take for granted now. Though Jacques Plante is often portrayed as the first goalie to wear a mask, and was the first to regularly do so, Benedict was the first to don a mask in an NHL game. On Jan. 7, 1930, he was hit in the face by a shot from Howie Morenz of the Montreal Canadiens. He missed six weeks before returning against the New York Americans on Feb. 20, wearing a mask. Benedict wore the mask for five games before being hit in the face again on March 4 against the Ottawa Senators in what turned out to be his final NHL game.

https://www.nhl.com/player/clint-benedict-8449817