Jordan Schmaltz defends 'Godfather of Hockey' Lou Lamoriello after backlash for strict Isles grooming rules

By Cole Shelton

Modified Aug 23, 2024 14:03 GMT

Former NHL player Jordan Schmaltz has defended New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello after receiving backlash over his grooming mandates. On Thursday, Islanders forward Anthony Duclair posted his dreadlocks cut off ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season.

Lamoriello has a rule of no facial hair and no long hair for any Islanders players. It's a rule many have criticized, but after Duclair had to cut off his dreadlocks, some fans and analysts thought it was a step too far.

However, Schmaltz, who was a first-round pick, took to social media to defend Lamoriello.

"Like, love or hate him Lou Lamoriello is an old school Providence gangsta that operates under strict Catholic boarding school like rules and regulations that must be followed by all team members," Schmaltz wrote. "Clean cut, clean shaven, suit and tie on travel days it’s very military like.

"For those keyboard warriors bringing race into the fold is beyond childish. Black, white, green, blue, purple or red if your hair exceeds beyond the ears and longer than the collar LL enforces a barber clean up."

Schmaltz then said everyone in the NHL knows the rule, so if it was so bad, players wouldn't sign there. So, when Duclair signed there as a free agent, he knew he would have to cut his dreadlocks.

"Don’t like it? Don’t sign there or ask to be moved," Schmaltz wrote. "It’s pretty simple. And while we’re at it, I’d shave my bush, face, chest, legs and wax my eyebrows if Lou wanted me to. Hell I’d get a Brazilian wax job. The full Nelson. In exchange for all of that he gives his players tons of benefits and cares deeply for them.

"Not to mention he’s connected like Capone if sh*t goes south. Heard nothing but good things regarding the godfather of hockey."

It is a rule that Lou Lamoriello has enforced since he has been a general manager in the NHL.

Analysts call out Lou Lamoriello's rule

Following Anthony Duclair being forced to shave his dreadlocks, several NHL analysts called out Lou Lamoriello's rule of no facial hair and no long hair.

Sportsnet's Donnovan Bennett posted about the mandate on X:

TSN Hockey's Gord Miller also took to social media to share his complaint about the rule:

The Athletic's Scott Wheeler also criticized Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders for their rule.

Currently, neither Anthony Duclair nor Lou Lamoirello have commented since there has been a backlash on the rule.