'...A black eye for the game': New York Islanders draw criticism online as Anthony Duclair obeys team's rules, cuts off his dreadlocks
Lou's rules make the headlines once again as Duclair shares his mandated hair cut on social media
Lou Lamoriello and his strict rules on player aesthetics are at it again.
Nearly two months after signing a four-year contract with the New York Islanders, forward Anthony Duclair decided to stop delaying the inevitable and cut off his hair. He knew this day would come, and after taking the summer to enjoy his final days with his long locks, Duclair did what he had to do.
After all, Duclair is now playing hockey on a Lou Lamoriello team, and Duclair knows the rules.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and this one speaks volumes about the out-of-touch, unopposed culture of this sport and one of its most revered people. pic.twitter.com/1OCuraozEh
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) August 22, 2024
Lamoriello — a hockey legend who's been managing teams in the NHL for nearly 40 years — is one of the game's most respected executives, but his strict rules on how his players should present themselves have been well documented over the years. He's not a fan of long hair, and any form of facial hair during the regular season (playoff beards get a pass) is an absolute no-no.
As such, players on Lamoriello's teams are forced to adhere to his strict rules, even if they're a little sad as they post their freshly-cut hair on their Instagram stories.
Some of the other #LouRules:
-no facial hair (except the in playoffs)
-no long hair (past the collar)
-no jewelry (necklaces/earrings)
-jackets/ties must be worn to games and on the team bus/plane
-no broadcasters/media permitted on the team charter (including team broadcasters) https://t.co/dkkK6jAw56— Gord Miller 🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) January 31, 2023
Lamoriello's rules, as silly and archaic as they may be, have been a staple in his managerial style throughout his career, leading to some notable NHL haircuts over the years.
Former New Jersey Devils forward Kyle Palmieri was forced to shave off his signature beard after joining the Islanders in 2021, and Mat Barzal had to shorten his locks after letting the salad grow a little too long last summer. Lamoriello even brought his rules north of the border to Toronto, where Maple Leafs fans may remember forward Matt Martin cutting his long hair during Lamoriello's tenure as Toronto's GM.
And the rules don't just apply to Lou's players, as Islanders head coach Patrick Roy was forced to shave his beard when he was hired in January.
And yet, as documented as they may be, Lou's rules never seemed to ruffle the feathers of hockey fans quite like they have with Duclair, who created a fairly divisive online debate with his post on Instagram.
To some, there are potentially moral, cultural and racial implications in forcing Duclair to cut his hair.
Forcing a grown man like @aduclair10 to cut his hair is ridiculous and archaic, and it takes on even worse overtones when it’s part of someone’s culture. https://t.co/exYOM40Rwt
— Gord Miller 🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) August 22, 2024
Hockey men praise Lou for his past accomplishments.But today Lou is what is wrong with hockey. It is time for the old boys to leave the game & bring in new fresh ideas. Bad for morale, bad for the players & a black eye for the game. No way @aduclair should have to submit to that!
— Darren Gilmore (@Gilly601) August 22, 2024
I'm surprised the NHLPA doesn't have clauses in the current CBA preventing something like this. I'm sure the next one will better protect its members against this type of discriminatory and unwritten pseudo rule.
— Matthew Holly (@MatthewHolly) August 22, 2024
No idea how this is still acceptable and why players don’t push back.
— ddot (@Dropin55767) August 22, 2024
is there any labour recourse for this? Can the union help out?
— jay (@office_user) August 22, 2024
There's a good chance this violates the NY CROWN act too.
At the very least, he has a good reason to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) if he wanted to. And legally he would be protected from retaliation as NY considers that a separate law.— Bird Man Sabres Fan (@BassTubaBBb) August 22, 2024
While many seem to support Duclair's right to keep his hair as long as he wants, others on X were quick to mention that Duclair certainly knew about Lou's rules when the forward signed with the Islanders. And since he wasn't forced to sign a contract with New York, Duclair surely wasn't "forced" to cut his hair.
while I agree that Lou's policy/rule is ridiculous and makes me wonder how weird/obsessive he is in private, no one forced Duclair to sign there, it's like any other workplace.
— K.L. Martin (@LokiMartin) August 22, 2024
He’s got 14 million reasons to live with short hair. Archaic sure but let’s get real, he didn’t have to sign there and he’s being paid handsomely I’m sure he can keep his hair tidy.
— goochasaur (@goochlint) August 22, 2024
Counter point… it’s known how Lou (or the Yankees operate)… if one chooses to play there, that’s the policy. They have freedom to play elsewhere when they are a UFA … different discussion for those without UFA rights
— omair rana (@omair_rana) August 22, 2024
The #Yankees too have had a no long hair/facial hair policy in place (moustaches are allowed) for almost 50 years. As a player, you know what you are getting into when you sign. Do I agree with this, heck NO, it’s 2024! But if you don’t want to partake, don’t sign with that club.
— Trina A-Z (@TrinaLeigh77) August 22, 2024
Here's the thing
No one forced him to sign a contract
If he valued the hair more than the opportunity to play he'd have made that choice
Adults understand the world is full of trade offs
And he made his decision
Stop trying to make everything political
Teams have rules— Jordan B. Goldstein | The Athletic Philosopher (@JB_Goldstein) August 22, 2024
Hold up, he signed a 4 year deal for $14 million
I would bet a large some of money that at least one other NHL team offered him a contract. Might not have been 4 years but definitely a contract
He took the term and $$ over his hair
He knew the rules and accepted them for the $— Daniel (@87Danielc87) August 22, 2024
As a few noted in the X posts above, the New York Yankees have employed a similar rule since 1976. Those who don the famous pin stripes must not have hair that touches the collar of their sweater, and any facial hair — aside from a moustache, or course — is strictly prohibited.
Baseball fans surely remember when Boston Red Sox great Johnny Damon had to cut off his signature hair after signing with the rival Yankees back in 2006.
For the Yankees and Islanders, adherence to these strict grooming principles is about tradition and professionalism. The players are well aware of the rules when they join these two teams, but every once in a while the sports world is reminded of this tradition with a story such as Duclair's.
