Things will get hairy
It’s a venerable hockey tradition for players to let their beards continue to grow, as long as their team remains alive during the Stanley Cup playoffs. But as the postseason gets under way this week, the Capitals are taking it a step further, involving other members of the organization and fans in order to raise money for charity.
The Caps are asking fans to grow beards themselves and solicit donations, or to contribute in support of a Capitals player or a fan who has elected to grow a playoff beard. All proceeds will benefit Washington Capitals Charities.
“Participation is pretty solid,” said Joe Dupriest, the team’s marketing director, “but [this] week there’ll be a big push when guys start to grow the beards for our first few playoff games.”
He said some people in the front office had already stopped shaving, but “most people will start with the first day of the playoffs [Wednesday].” He said Wes Johnson, the team’s arena announcer, was currently second in donations on the beardathon.com Web site.
Even the sports media have gotten involved. Comcast SportsNet anchors Brent Harris, Chick Hernandez, Michael Jenkins, Chris Miller and Russ Thaler are participating. WJFK-FM’s John “Cakes” Auville from the Junkies, Chad Dukes from the “Big O and Dukes Show” and nationally syndicated personality Mike O’Meara from the “Mike O’Meara Show” will also get a bit more hirsute in weeks to come.
But what about the players? Some of them — star goal-scorer Alex Ovechkin, goaltender Jose Theodore and defenseman Mike Green, for instance — have a big head start already, as they like to sport the face fuzz from time to time throughout the season.
Recently, Caps TV announcers Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin joked on air that Ovechkin could grow a beard in four minutes if he wanted to, so he’ll be tough to top.
Or how about enforcer and sometime-beard-wearer Donald Brashear, who is expected back for the playoffs? The bigger his beard, the more imposing he gets.
The real prize, however? That would be to see a full beard on owner Ted Leonsis. We wonder whether his usual, well-kept goatee will be sufficient for a playoff drive.
