Hockey Traditions: Playoff Beards

         Playoff Beards: We’ve all seen them. Some are more attractive than others. These days, it seems a majority of hockey players are growing beards for the playoffs. It somehow became a tradition. We’ve probably asked, “where did it all start?” Here’s the answer to this question:

         Many say playoff beards began in 1980 with the New York Islanders. During their Stanley Cup run, players such as Ken Morrow and Clark Gillies decided to let their facial hair grow until they were either eliminated or won the cup. They would go on to win 4 consecutive Stanley Cups. Growing facial hair, likely for superstitious reasons, seemed to work. If not for the Islander dynasty of the 1980s, playoff beards might not have caught on as a tradition.