Brandon Herrod of the Kamloops Blazers looks like a stereotypical Spanish conquistador.

“The moustache and soul-patch combo looks pretty sharp,” Blazer forward Brock Balson said of Herrod’s facial hair.

The former Prince Albert Raider, like the rest of his teammates, is growing — or is attempting to grow — facial hair for the playoffs.

“It’s a good excuse to have a beard and not get judged too hard for it,” said Tyler Hansen, one of Kamloops’ top shutdown D-men.

Captain Chase Schaber has a precise plan — “I’m going with my traditional neckbeard,” the Blazers’ captain told KTW — for his playoff fuzz.

Then there are the freer spirits, like Kamloops forward Cole Ully, who will adhere to a laissez-faire growing policy.

“I think I’m going to go for the full beard,” Ully said.

“But, l’ll let ‘er play out the way she wants to.”

The unfortunate truth for Ully is he might not be able to grow a beard until 2016.

He isn’t the only Blazer who has a tough time mustering a moustache, though.

“Landon Cross has some pretty bad facial hair,” Hansen said of the Brandon product.

“I’m pretty embarrassed for the guy.”

Blazer forward Colin Smith was also a target for his teammates.

“I was here when he was 16 and he thought it was pretty good then,” Hansen said of Smith.

“I’ve seen some progress, but the kid’s got a long way to go.”

Kamloops fourth-line forward Ryan Hanes, along with Herrod and goaltender Cole Cheveldave, was among the Blazers recognized for their facial-hair growing prowess.

“I think he’s the legend,” Hansen said of the hirsute Hanes.

“When it comes to facial hair, that moustache just can’t           be replaced.”

Landon Cross listened as his teammates, one after the other, crucified his attempt at a goatee.

“I can understand taking it from Hanes and Hansen, but when I heard Brock Balson say it . . . wow, whatever,” said Cross, noting Balson’s growth made him look like a raccoon.

Ully chooses to ignore the ridicule and focus on crafting a beard which, to this point, is non-existent.

“I shaved Wednesday, so it’s coming in nicely,” Ully said.

“I don’t know if it’ll be up to a couple guys’ standards.

“The boys give me a tough time, but what can you do?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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