ARLINGTON, Va. – Radko Gudas was a 21-year-old playing in the minor leagues when he made a choice that would shape his on-ice image for years to come.
The Norfolk Admirals were riding a six-game winning streak in February 2012. Worried about jinxing things, Gudas and a couple of teammates made a pact: they vowed not to shave, under any circumstances, until Norfolk lost again.
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“Well, we finished the (regular) season with 28 straight wins,” Gudas said of the streak, a professional hockey record in North America. “It was me, Eric Neilson and Scott Jackson. We were the three most gifted guys on the team when it came to growing a beard.”
“Once we were six games in, we were like, ‘You know what? We haven’t shaved. Maybe it’s the right thing to do.’” Gudas cracked. “We kept it all the way until June.”
Indeed, that season ended with Gudas and the Admirals hoisting the Calder Cup, awarded annually to the American Hockey League’s champion.
“But they didn’t like the beard at home,” he said, referring to his native Czech Republic.
Gudas persevered. After all, he liked his beard. Fans did, too.
As a member of the Syracuse Crunch the following season, Gudas’ whiskers inspired a ‘Fear the beard’ night; every fan in attendance got a fake beard. The Crunch also produced a host of funny promotional videos. The beard even spawned a Twitter account, @RadkoGudasBeard, which features a bio that reads, “I was born to greatness. Groomed to perfection. And very well conditioned.” Sadly, the account has tweeted only once since 2015.
There was no going back. Gudas’ manicured but robust beard had officially become a thing. Gudas’ own Twitter page makes mention of his facial hair: “Washington Capitals defenseman and bearded one.”
“I’ve got a little style to it,” he said after a recent practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Gudas was traded to the Caps from the Flyers in exchange for Matt Niskanen this offseason, and Gudas figures to play a significant role on the Caps’ blue line and penalty kill this season.
“Every year. I think it looks better and better,” Gudas added with a grin.
(Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)
As an established NHL veteran now, the 29-year-old is renowned for his bushy brown beard.
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“It’s definitely a trademark of his,” Capitals coach Todd Reirden said. “It fits his persona. I wouldn’t know what to think if I saw him without it.”
Reirden barely was able to keep it together due to unexpected line of questioning.
“It’s, um, it’s strong,” Reirden said with a hearty chuckle. “It comes in well. It’s not patchy. I’d like to see that thing get real long come June.”
Reirden’s assessment couldn’t be more accurate about the beard fitting Gudas’ on-ice rep. In a day and age where NHL players have begun to resemble Ferraris, Gudas is a Hummer. He’s a throwback to an earlier era.
Gudas relishes physical play, punishing hits and antagonizing opposing forwards. His brand of play often comes right up to the line. Sometimes it crosses the line. In fact, the NHL’s Department of Player of Safety has suspended the six-foot, 205-pound blueliner four times, including a two-game ban for high-sticking eventual league MVP Nikita Kucherov last season.
“Sports Illustrated” once described Gudas’ facial hair as a “Superman II, villain-esque beard.”
Asked about the accuracy of the description, Gudas did not disagree.
“If they put in me in this category, I’m not against it,” he said shrugging. “I play a physical game. If it’s something that goes well with the image, I’m just going to embrace it.”
Over the years, companies that specialize in men’s grooming have sent him products, ranging from beard balms and oils to combs and brushes.
Thanks @brownsbrawny for the product! Beard is getting smooth and strong again! pic.twitter.com/VImAlFa2iR
— radko gudas (@radkogudas) April 8, 2017
Gudas insists that he’s not a hipster beard enthusiast. He does, however, acknowledge that he takes the time to ensure his beard is trimmed, edged and otherwise on point.
“I’ve used a few (products) but I never stuck with one, to be honest,” Gudas said. “I just try to keep as much gray out of it as possible, you know?”
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Gudas says he’s only shaved a few times since growing the beard out in Norfolk. And it’s only been for special occasions, like a wedding or Movember or after some serious prodding from his wife. And even then, he joked, he never shaves all the way down to the skin.
“I always keep a little something up there,” he said. “I probably can count on both my hands how many times I’ve shaved it since Norfolk. I have too many scars on my face to razor it all the way down.”
Gudas also said he’s careful to keep the bushiness to a minimum on the cheeks. When he doesn’t, it gives opposing players fodder.
“The beard grows a lot on the sides. So, if I don’t trim it here,” he said, stroking his jaw, “it looks like I have an extra 25 pounds. I’ve been chirped about that. So I try to keep it close on my cheeks.”
Teammate T.J. Oshie says he’s in awe of the beard’s fullness and Gudas’ commitment to maintaining it.
“I mean, it’s very impressive,” Oshie said, smiling. “Obviously, that guy wants to make the playoffs. He’s playing playoff hockey right now. You saw him the other night (in the preseason), right? It’s a good sign that he’s already making that sacrifice and growing a playoff beard.”
(Top photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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