Playoff hair becomes the mane event for CHLers

The few days of rest between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs provide a nice respite for the players across the Canadian Hockey League. They finally get a chance to rest, heal their bumps and bruises, and -- most importantly -- create their playoff hair.

Last year's best (?) hair-iffic look was the "Old Man" which belonged to forward Mitchell Theoret, now of the Barrie Colts. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, but I don't know if you could find that many words to describe Theoret's playoff look (above).

Just. Speechless.

There is no doubt, however, that Theoret -- a New York Islanders prospect -- is a visionary when it comes to pushing the boundaries of WTF?!? The beard flows into the hair which frames his face like a piece of artwork. I like to think of this as art, because as I've said before, playoff hair makes you think: What?... how?... why? ...yeah, mostly why.

Yes, perhaps a little post-post-season hair regret. Here's what Niagara rookie forward Rio Anzolin (below) did that, in hindsight, maybe wasn't the easiest look to pull off in public. Or even in private.

Belleville Bulls defenceman Daniel De Sousa (below) has what could be the best-worst playoff hair we've come across in a long, long time.

This, my friends, is the stuff of nightmares. But like all nightmares, this too, is over.

BTN had setup an interview with De Sousa on Wednesday, through the Bulls, but later in the day the team's communications director sent the following message:

"I've been informed that Daniel's hair isn't staying that way and that he won't be available for comment. Coach (George) Burnett has said you can call him if you have any questions on the matter."

Thank goodness sanity prevailed! The last thing civilized society needs is junior hockey players running around with bad hair.

"I think it only shows that all the guys are in the same boat," said Moncton Wildcats defenceman Jonathan Narbonne of the hair-raising, team building process. "It's fun!"

Fun!?!? The CHL is big business buddy, so get back to earning your $5o a week. By the way, here's Narbonne (bottom right) and his Moncton teammates -- including Phillip Danault, bottom left -- rockin' some sweet mullets.

Shhh... don't tell anyone, but Belleville captain Brendan Gaunce, a first-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, also got his hair-did. In the past, he's sported a monk-cut and a mean looking salad bowl. He's calling this look, "No Country For Old Men" because it was inspired by the Javier Bardem villain in the movie of the same name. Really, the only villain here is the hairstylist who agreed to do this to Gaunce's head.

By far, my favourite playoff coif this year belongs to Kingston Frontenacs winger Jean Dupuy. You can tell a lot of time, effort, and thought went into this style. The multi-angle allows you to appreciate the "artistry" of what looks like a living ad for New York City checker cabs.

Here's Chicoutimi Saguenéens defenceman Loik Leveille ... OMG! Yeah, the look on his face pretty much sums it up.

There's no wondering who's responsible for the SuperCut! belonging to Barrie Colts goalie Alex Fotinos. The number shaved into his head is nice touch for people who don't recognize him without his jersey on.

Like last season, mullets (aka Hockey Hair) are still a big trend for playoffs across the CHL. Here are the Portland Winterhawks getting ready to make their run for a third straight Western Conference title with some new flow.

And finally, Kingston's Marc Beckstead (bottom, right) probably has the best classic mullet, circa 1990s, all these two need is a Camero/IROC/Trans-AM/Firebird and some lumber-jackets to be the OHL's version of Terry and Deaner.

This crop of playoff "crops" could be the deepest class we've seen in a while. So on Thursday night, when the playoffs start across the CHL, make sure you stand at attention during the anthems and try to hold in your laughter. It's all in good fun.

Stick taps: Jean Dupuy, Brendan Gaunce, Jerome Berube, Nick Gambee, Daniel De Sousa, Justin Stapleton, Jonathan Narbonne, Lindsey J, Marc Beckstead, Jenn Kuhn, Mitchell Theoret and Rio Anzolin.