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?!
