NHL boss forces new player to get haircut to comply with team code

Lou Lamoriello, the seasoned executive of the New York Islanders, is known for his quiet off-seasons. This year, however, his signing of Anthony Duclair has sparked considerable attention.

The 28-year-old winger, formerly of the Ottawa Senators, is set to reunite with his one-time Quebec Remparts coach, Patrick Roy, in a significant career move.

Duclair, stepping into the Islanders' lineup with a 4-year, $14 million contract, is making more than just a team change-he's also adopting a new look.

Known for his distinctive dreadlocks, Duclair has opted for a clean-shaven style to comply with the team's grooming policy.

This policy, stringently enforced by Lamoriello, requires players to maintain a conservative appearance, which in Duclair's case, meant cutting his dreadlocks and shaving his beard.

While some view these grooming standards as a nod to professionalism, critics argue they are outdated.

The enforcement of such personal appearance rules, especially in a league that allows its players to wear suits but not beards, reflects a potentially overreaching control over players' personal expressions.

This approach to team management raises questions about cultural sensitivity and personal autonomy within sports teams.

While Lamoriello aims to preserve a uniform team image, which includes suits and clean-shaven faces pre-match, the requirement for Duclair to alter his natural hair and facial grooming habits has sparked debate over whether these policies are more about control than cohesion.

As the NHL continues to evolve, with many teams loosening or eliminating dress codes, the Islanders' adherence to such strict grooming standards seems anachronistic.

Critics like Scott Wheeler have voiced concerns on platforms like Twitter, pointing out the seemingly authoritarian nature of these rules.

Despite aiming for a disciplined team image, these old-school policies might be holding the Islanders back, suggesting a disconnect with modern cultural norms and possibly affecting team morale.

Whether this will impact the Islanders' pursuit of a championship remains to be seen, but for now, Lamoriello's rules are firmly in place, casting a long shadow over the team's modern identity.