Players growing beards during the NHL Playoffs is has become a fun tradition for the sport. In 2011-12 O-Pee-Chee we will be paying tribute to that tradition by producing a 50-card set of current NHL players who have rocked the playoff beard look before. These will be numbered the same as the base version, but will have a different photo of the player with their playoff beard featured. Collectors can find about four of these playoff beard variation cards per box. It should be a creative way to immortalize this unique tradition through trading cards.
We get into our work here at Upper Deck and as the NHL Playoffs came close to starting, more than a few of us decided we would do a pool for who could keep a playoff beard the longest. I lasted about a week before I had to take the clippers to the patchy mess on my face. It’s not easy to start and keep a beard for over a month with your work and personal life in the way. Two Upper Deck staff members were able to accomplish this achievement however, so my hat is off to them. And now we ask you the fans, who wears it better?
First up is Mark Kramer, our resident intern extraordinaire. You may remember Mark from a couple videos he wrote, directed, produced and starred in about EVOLUTION and about why you should only purchase from Certified Diamond Dealers. He is a huge help on the Marketing side of our business and we are expecting great things from this up-and-comer in the future. Check out his beard:
Next up is Mark Shaunessy, our Hobby Policy Enforcement Specialist. Before taking on that position, Mark worked in our Quality Assurance Department and before that in our Game-Used Room. You may remember Mark from a brief appearance on ESPN’s E:60 when the Sports Guy Bill Simmons paid us a visit at UD Headquarters. He takes his position very seriously and he is very serious about growing his beard as well. Take a look at his beard:
They have both made it to the end of the NHL Playoffs (as long as they don’t slip up between now and Game 7). Both beards appear to be very similar in terms of coloring and thickness. But our question to you fans is who wears their beard better? Kramer or Shaunessy? Give your vote below in the comment section so we can award the victor the prize pool!
