Anthony Duclair is officially an islander.
Yes, he signed his four-year, $14 million contract with the NHL club earlier this summer, but his signing with the Islanders was finalized this week when the forward cut his hair to comply with regulations set by President of Hockey Activities and General Manager Lou Lamoriello.
Similar to the Yankees, 81-year-old Lamoriello has strict guidelines regarding the appearance of players, particularly their hair and facial hair, as well as their game-day outfits.
Duclair, 28, posted a photo on his Instagram story of a pile of his braids on the bathroom counter after he cut them off, along with a smiling emoji with a tear running down his eye.
The post was likely meant as a joke as he prepares for life with the Islanders, who are coming off a season that saw them eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in their sixth season under Lamoriello’s leadership.
The reactions to the post have taken on a life of their own, with comments ranging from somewhat silly to angry.
“Praying for Anthony Duclair. (Nothing happened to him, he just got a haircut),” wrote @LeafsAllDayy on X.
“A picture is worth a thousand words, and this one speaks volumes about the escapist, controversial culture of this sport and one of its most revered representatives,” wrote The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler on the social media platform.
“I understand that Anthony Duclair knew full well what signing with a team managed by Lou Lamoriello would mean for his personal style and hairstyle and that he accepted that,” another user added. “But that doesn’t make such a stupid personal rule any less stupid.”
The Lamoriello Rule has long been in place in hockey management, but the public largely agrees that it feels outdated.
“Do I think that’s a good strategy? In this day and age, it’s probably archaic, stupid and unnecessary,” SportsGrid host and Islanders fan Mike Carver said during a segment of “Ferrall Coast to Coast.”
Duclair joins the Islanders after spending last season with the Sharks and Lightning.
