The gnarliest playoff beards in the history of every NHL franchise

The gnarliest playoff beards in the history of every NHL team

MONTREAL, QC - MAY 25: Lanny McDonald #9 of the Calgary Flames hugs the Stanley Cup Trophy in the locker room after the Flames defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals on May 25, 1989 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /

13 of 30

American professional ice hockey player Ken Morrow of the New York Islanders lifts the Stanley Cup over his head after his team won the NHL championship series against the Edmonton Oilers, Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, May 17, 1983. The Islanders won in four straight games to win their fourth straight championship. Canadian /

New York Islanders: Ken Morrow

Ken Morrow is widely regarded as the OG of playoff beards. When the New York Islanders were on the brink of greatness, they needed one small change to get them over the last hump to becoming four-time champions. That edge ended up being the playoff beard.

Morrow, along with teammates decided they would not touch their facial hair through the playoffs. This decision was met with eye-rolling throughout the league, but soon caught on and is now a regular event in many sports.

Morrow was a member of the American team that defeated Finland at the 1980 Olympics. He immediately joined the New York Islanders after the tournament and became the first player in history to win Olympic gold followed by a Stanley Cup in the same season.

Morrow brought his luck, his skill and his magical beard to an Islanders team that needed a slight nudge in the right direction to be great. He was the X factor for the Islanders and a pioneer in the league, as he and the Islanders introduced us to the playoff beard tradition.

Home/NHL