Beard-a-thon Canada

Jun 11

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Jun 08

Final Roundup

So it is that time of year again. Summer has finally arrived, you are finding yourself spending way more time enjoying the outdoors perhaps even on the golf course. With the NHL playoffs now over and the new cup champion Los Angeles Kings crowned, what better time than now to recap how our NHLPA Beard-a-thon participants fared in this year’s NHL playoffs and NHLPA Beard-a-thon donations.

The Vancouver Canucks had many players participating in the NHLPA Beard-a-thon this year. The team was surprised by a strong 8th seed in the first round of the playoffs and were eliminated in 5 games. Here is how their participating players fared in their fund raising.

Andrew Alberts $85
Keith Ballard $95
Alex Burrows $165
Marc-Andre Gragnani $90
Dan Hamhuis $255
Chris Higgins $110
Zack Kassian $100
Ryan Kesler $110
Maxim Lapierre $80
Manny Malhotra $85
Mayson Raymond $230
Cory Schneider $165
Christopher Tanev $95
Dale Weise $95

The Phoenix Coyotes had their best ever playoffs this year making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals. In the finals ran into the powerhouse LA Kings and lost in 5 games. Here is how their participating players fared in their fund raising.

Adrian Aucoin $1520
Paul Bissonnette $985

The Boston Bruins were coming into the playoffs as defending cup champions looking to repeat. Their dream of a repeat was cut short in the first round at the hands of the Washington Capitals. Here is how their participating player fared in their fund raising.

Patrice Bergeron $415

The Ottawa Senators had a hard fought first round series against the New York Rangers. Sadly for Sens fans it didn’t end the way they had hoped losing in 7 games. Here is how their participating players fared in their fund raising.

Matt Carkner $320
Chris Phillips $400

The Pittsburgh Penguins came into the playoffs as cup favourites but wound up playing state rivals Philly in the first round. This will probably go down as the most exciting series of the entire playoffs. The Pens wound up losing this amazing series to the Flyers in 6 games. Here is how their participating player fared in their fund raising.

Pascal Dupuis $250

The St. Louis Blues surprised many in this years playoffs winning their opening round series against the San Jose Sharks. Unfortunately they met the LA Kings in the 2nd round and were eliminated in a sweep. Here is how their participating player fared in their fund raising.

Brian Elliott $525

The Philadelphia Flyers put on quite the first round performance against the Penguins in a series was one for the ages. However they met up with cup finalist New Jersey Devils in the 2nd round and wound up losing in 5 games. Here is how their participating players fared in their fund raising.

Scott Hartnell $855
Max Talbot $630

The Washington Capitals played a great first round series against the cup champion Boston Bruins and a spirited 2nd round against the New York Rangers in which they came up just short of a birth in the East Finals. Here is how their participating player fared in their fund raising.

Brooks Laich $575

The Chicago Blackhawks battled hard in their first round series against the Phoenix Coyotes with some great overtime games. Sadly for Hawks fans they came up just a bit short. Here is how their participating player fared in their fund raising.

Jamal Mayers $180

The New York Rangers had a great run in this 2012 playoffs. Making it all the way to the conference finals against cross river rivals New Jersey Devils. The Rangers came 2 wins shy of a birth in the cup finals. Here is how their participating player fared in their fund raising.

Brandon Prust $2525

The Detroit Red Wings had a very brief playoffs in 2012 getting bounced by the Nashville Predators in 5 games of the first round. Here is how their participating player fared in their fund raising.

Kyle Quincey $130

Congrats to all of the 2012 NHLPA Beard-a-thon participants for their accomplishments on and off time ice!

[video]

Jun 04

The women behind the beards: Caroline Aucoin

We got in touch with Adrian Aucoin’s wife to see how she really feels about his playoff beard.

1. How did you feel about your husband/boyfriend’s beard?

As the playoffs approach, I never look forward to it, that’s for sure! However, once everything settles down and the family is watching him in the playoffs, it’s not so bad. I definitely think it’s a great way for the team to bond during the turbulent time of the playoffs. And now that he’s shaved it, I might even say I miss it!

2. What’s the worst part about being married to/dating a man with a beard?

Because this was the furthest Adrian had gone in the playoffs in his career, I have to say it’s actually not that bad even though it grew so thick! And of course, the kids and I were hoping he could grow it as long as possible!

3. Do you have a favourite style of beard?

Usually a trimmed one is best in my opinion. But for us, we knew the longer Adrian’s beard grew, the further the Coyotes had advanced in the playoffs. So for this year, we were thinking long, bushy beards were the best!

4. Do you think beards make men more high-maintenance?

I can’t speak for all the women out there, but for me, the playoff beard means lower-maintenance! He didn’t have to shave or trim nearly as much, and he could just wake up and get to the rink. The only thing that made the beard high-maintenance was reminding him to check for leftover food in it after meals!

5. Does he discuss his beard with his other male friends?

I think Adrian and his teammates had some fun with the younger guys on the team who can’t grow the best beards. Because he is one of the veterans on the team, he definitely had one of the better beards. I know that the players who were trying to win it all would do whatever it takes, including buying into the superstition of growing a beard!

6. Do you think he secretly wishes he could keep the beard all year long?

Definitely not! Because we live in Phoenix for most of the year, a thick beard in this heat can get tiring very quickly. For someone who has to exercise and workout year-round, I think having a beard all year long would become quite irritating!

7. How can women support the NHLPA Beard-a-thon even though they can’t grow themselves?

Personally, I was focused on supporting Adrian and his beard because I knew the team concept behind growing is important to him. I would recommend all the wives and girlfriends take pictures of their male counterpart’s beard and post the pictures on the NHLPA Beard-a-thon website. I’ve also heard about the “Build-a-Beard”, where women can create their own beards. Why not compete alongside your husband/boyfriend?!

Jun 01

[video]

May 30

Upload your photo to win an autographed hockey jersey!

Thanks for giving up the daily shave to save lives! You probably have quite the show of growth by now. So, how big has your playoff beard become? Upload the most recent photo of your playoff beard before June 6, 2012 for your chance to win an autographed hockey jersey.*

Attention ladies: Can’t grow your own? Build one! Visit beardathon.ca and click on the Build-a-Beard application, then save and share via Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.

Hurry! Submit your photo on Facebook, Twitter or by email before June 6! The NHLPA will select one lucky winner to receive a signed jersey.

Remember — keep fundraising for your chance to win a grand prize trip for two!**

Attention ASHL members: remember to email beardathon@nhlpa.com with your ASHL location and team name to be eligible for prizing!

May 29

[video]

May 25

24 hours to win an autographed hockey jersey!

Way to grow! We’re in the thick of the Finals and the funds you’ve raised are making a huge difference! Now, here’s your chance to score an autographed jersey in just one day!

On Monday, May 28, starting at 3pm, you have 24 hours to maximize your fundraising. Raise the most money in 24 hours and win a signed jersey from an NHLPA member of your choice – it’s that easy!

Get sharp and go for the goal! Just one day is all it takes to get this jersey – a symbol of your dedication to the cause!

Start fundraising now!

*Contest runs from 3pm on May 28 to 3pm on May 29. Read the fine print.

May 23

Player Profile: Brandon Prust

The New York Rangers are on the verge of a trip back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1994. Brandon has been a key part of the Rangers so far successful playoff run. He proves much needed grit and physical presence that is required for a long and successful run at the cup. Originating from London Ontario, Prust has been in the NHL for 5 seasons and is currently involved in the longest playoff venture of his career. The only thing more impressive than the Rangers performance so far in the playoffs is Brandon’s NHLPA Beard-a-thon beard! Looking great out there Brandon, keep up the good work!

Support Brandon in his quest for a Stanley Cup worthy NHLPA Beard-a-thon beard.

May 22

Beard of the day

Congratulations to Maple Leaf fan, Ryan Packer from Milton, ON for making beard of the day on beardathon.ca!