New York Islanders’ Anthony Duclair Forced to Part Ways with His Locs

Fans of the New York Islanders were left shocked and outraged when player Anthony Duclair revealed on his Instagram story that he had to cut off his beautiful locs. Duclair displayed a pile of cut braids, along with a sad face emoji to convey his feelings about having to part ways with his signature hairstyle.

The reason behind Duclair’s sudden change in appearance can be attributed to the strict cut-and-shave rules enforced by general manager Lou Lamoriello. Lamoriello, known for his no-nonsense approach, has a long-standing policy that prohibits players from having facial hair (except during playoffs), wearing jewelry, jackets, or ties on game days, and having hair that extends past the collar.

Unsurprisingly, fans of the team expressed their sympathy for Duclair after learning about the haircut forced upon him by the team’s management. One fan even went as far as to describe the rules as “outdated and vile,” sparking conversations about the necessity of such restrictive policies in professional sports.

For Duclair, who had proudly cultivated his locs over time, the decision to part ways with his hair must have been a difficult one. Locs can take several years to mature, and the sudden loss of his hairstyle may have come as a devastating blow to the player.

Despite the disappointment of having to cut his locs, Duclair recently signed a four-year deal worth $14 million with the New York Islanders in July. However, it remains unclear whether Duclair was fully aware of the team’s strict grooming policies at the time of signing the contract.

As the dust settles on the controversy surrounding Anthony Duclair’s haircut, it raises questions about the extent to which professional sports teams should be able to dictate personal grooming choices. While team policies are essential for maintaining a professional image, should they come at the cost of a player’s individuality and self-expression? Only time will tell how Duclair’s forced haircut will impact his relationship with the team and his performance on the ice.