From the 1940 NHL Rule and Record Book, "How to Play Ice Hockey - the Goaltender"

"In my estimation the goaltender is the most important man on the ice.  No matter how strong the team's forwards and defense may be it will not get far without a steady performer in the nets.

A goalie must be an agile, cool fellow.  He must be able to time shots well and know when to go to the ice to smother or block a shot.  He must guard against setting up rebounds for an attacker to slap back into his cage.  The goalie is provided with a stick which is three times as wide as the regular stick.  He stops long shots along the ice with this and bats the puck out of danger.  A goalie should be adept at catching a flying puck....  When a high shot comes in a goalie catches it and tosses it to the side or back, providing of course, a team mate and not an opponent is there to retrieve it.  On mix-ups in front of his net and close in he should go to the ice and try to smother the shot.

A goaltender should keep his temper at all times.  A penalty to a goalie usually results in disaster for his team."