The Stanley Cup playoff beard has been an NHL tradition since the early 1980s, when the shaggy New York Islanders won four straight championships. It represents the players’ singular focus, as if even personal hygiene is sacrificed in pursuit of hockey’s holy grail. It suggests the rugged doggedness that’s synonymous with the NHL’s postseason tournament, with its grueling series and marathon overtimes. Here’s a look at the best beards to watch for in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, the next generation of bushy beauties and the greatest facial forests in NHL postseason history. As Joe Thornton, playoff beard GOAT once said: “It looks pretty. But it’s hard work.”
Lingering questions
No hockey beard examination would be complete without a look at the men wearing the fancy, decorated masks. Plus, have you ever wondered how long players keep their playoff beards?
WHAT ABOUT THE GOALIES?
Goaltenders simultaneously have the most outward individuality of any player on the ice and the most mystery. They can customize their masks as tributes to their personal lives and personalities. Yet those masks also hide their faces and, in turn, the splendor of their playoff beards. We’re left waiting for them to flip their lids for a squirt from a water bottle to catch a follicle glimpse. But when we do, it’s usually quite a sight.
Among the best beards in the playoffs for netminders: Carolina’s Frederik Andersen, the well-manicured Dane; Boston’s Jeremy Swayman and Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky, whose beard potentials are evident; the veteran scruff of Edmonton’s Mike Smith; and Dallas backup Braden Holtby, whose playoff beard looks like a cross between Bradley Cooper in “A Star Is Born” and a Sasquatch.
Holtby is hoping he gets his beard near the Cup again this year.
WHEN THE BEARD GOES
For many players, the playoff beard gets eliminated right after their team does. “It was always pretty quick afterwards. You felt like it was a clean slate again,” said former NHL defenseman Ken Daneyko. A three-time Stanley Cup winner, Daneyko said the champs would usually keep their beards until the official team Cup photo. “The dressing room bathroom would be an absolute mess on photo day, with piles of hair all over the place,” he said. “Because it’s a double shave: You gotta use the electric razor to trim it down, and then the blades if you’re going completely clean.”
Playoff beards make for a great team photo -- and a messy dressing room afterwards.
I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of ice hockey and the NHL, with an in-depth understanding of the sport's rich history, traditions, and the unique culture that surrounds it. My knowledge extends beyond the game itself, encompassing the unique customs that define the NHL experience. I've closely followed the Stanley Cup playoffs over the years, including the celebrated tradition of playoff beards that has become synonymous with the intensity and grit of postseason competition.
The Stanley Cup playoff beard, a tradition rooted in the early 1980s with the New York Islanders, serves as a tangible symbol of a player's unwavering focus on the ultimate prize in hockey. The shaggy beards not only represent a sacrifice of personal hygiene but also embody the rugged determination required to navigate the grueling series and marathon overtimes that characterize the NHL's postseason.
In the article, the anticipation of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs is discussed, with a focus on identifying the best beards to watch for in the upcoming tournament. The concept of the "playoff beard GOAT" is introduced, referencing Joe Thornton, a veteran player known for his exceptional playoff beard.
The article also raises intriguing questions about the goalies and their playoff beards. Goalkeepers, with their outward individuality expressed through custom masks, add an element of mystery to the tradition. Not only do their masks serve as personal tributes, but they also conceal the splendor of their playoff beards. The mentioned goalies include Carolina’s Frederik Andersen, Boston’s Jeremy Swayman, Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky, Edmonton’s Mike Smith, and Dallas backup Braden Holtby.
The section on when the beard goes sheds light on the post-playoff beard rituals. Many players, including champions, choose to eliminate their beards right after their team exits the playoffs. Former NHL defenseman Ken Daneyko, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, describes the process, highlighting the chaos in the dressing room as players clean up for the official team Cup photo. The double shave involving an electric razor and blades is a tradition that adds to the camaraderie and visual appeal of the team photo.
In essence, the article captures the essence of the Stanley Cup playoff beard as more than just facial hair; it's a symbol of dedication, team unity, and the shared journey towards hockey's ultimate glory.
