Growing A Playoff Beard To Support Your Favorite NHL Team: Cool Or Lame?

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One of the great traditions in sports is hockey players growing "playoff beards." Most players do not shave once the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin until their team either hoists the trophy or gets eliminated. 

This permeates all levels of hockey, too, not just the NHL. I grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, home of the Erie Otters OHL franchise. Each year, not only would the players grow out their facial hair, but the entire team would die their hair bleach-blonde (back in the early 2000s).

I could never do that myself because I'm pretty sure I would look horrible as a blonde with giant, bushy, dark eyebrows. But I was always fascinated with the idea of following the team by growing a beard. 

As a lifelong New York Rangers fan, I started growing my beard along with the team each postseason around 12 years ago. During the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final. My beard reached some epic lengths. 

NHL players traditionally grow beards during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but is it cool or lame for fans to do it, too?

Myself (left) and my buddy, Rob, during a New York Rangers playoff game at Madison Square Garden in 2022. 

And, just to be clear about my fandom, my wife and I spent part of our wedding night at a Rangers game in custom-made jerseys. True story. 

So, OutKick posed the question on X (formerly Twitter). "What are your thoughts on NHL fans growing a ‘playoff beard’ to support their favorite team?" The options were: "Cool" or "Lame." 

As of publishing, the voting was fairly close, but I'm happy to report that more people voted "Cool" (57%) than "Lame" (43%). 

I want to hear from more readers, though! Hit me up at dan.zaksheske@outkick.com and let me know your thoughts. Playoff beards for fans, cool or lame?

Also, what should the rules be? Can a fan shape his beard if he needs to still be presentable at work, or no shaving whatsoever? What about haircuts? 

We need an "Official Fan's Guide To Playoff Beards" and we need your help to do it! 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.