Growing a beard for the playoffs is an NHL tradition that dates back to the New York Islanders dynasty teams of the early 1980s. For some players who maybe cannot grow one, the tradition has even branched out to include mullets. But one thing is clear: You do not mess with your beard or mullet until your team has either been eliminated from the playoffs, or until they’ve won the Stanley Cup.
If NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus had his way, that would all change.
“The players won’t like this, but I wish they all would stop growing beards in the postseason,” Lazarus said. “Let’s get their faces out there. Let’s talk about how young and attractive they are. What model citizens they are. [Hockey players] truly are one of a kind among professional athletes.
“I know it’s a tradition and superstition, but I think [the beards do] hurt recognition. They have a great opportunity with more endorsements. Or simply more recognition with fans saying, ‘That guy looks like the kid next door,’ which many of these guys do. I think that would be a nice thing.”
So, does he have a point? Are playoff beards and ridiculous haircuts causing a facial recognition problem for the NHL? And are players missing out on endorsement opportunities because of it?
That’s probably a bit of a stretch, but we’ll mull it over. #Puns
[via Chicago Tribune]
