Hockey Hair

With the regular season coming to a close this weekend, we mark the end of another era in hockey - the Kerry Fraser era.

Fraser is scheduled to referee his final game this weekend. The 57 year old Fraser, a 20 year veteran in the National Hockey League, will officiate his last game on April 11th in Philadelphia as the Flyers host the Rangers.

Fraser was a memorable referee, with his emphatic calls and perhaps infamously for his non-call on Wayne Gretzky when The Great One highsticked Doug Gilmour, drawing blood, in the 1993 Western Conference finals. Gretzky then scored his own power play goal to end the Leafs Cinderella playoff run.

But for all of us non-Leafs fans we will always remember Kerry Fraser for his perfect hair. We joked about how he was killing the ozone layer by himself because of all the hair spray he must have used to keep his hair in perfect shape all game long. Not a hair was ever out of place. As such, he was one of the most recognizable referees, which made him a target of fans everywhere.

You just know it must have devastated Kerry Fraser when the NHL mandated that all referees where helmets for their own protection. I'm almost surprised he didn't just retire right then and there.

So to you Kerry Fraser, thank you for the memories. In honor of you, here's a look at the best hair in hockey history:

My dad still can't talk about Guy Lafleur, le Blond Demon, without mentioning his flowing hair:


There was a time when Jaromir Jagr was the best in the game. And he had the best hockey hair:



Michael Handzus gave Jagr's mullet a run for his money:


Ron Duguay's hair attracted Hollywood starlets:


While Slap Shot's Ogie Ogilthorpe took hockey hair to Hollywood:


Who can forget Mike Commodore and his playoff hair:


The only thing longer than Chris Simon's hair was his rap sheet:


Ryan Smyth's hair attracted all of the ladies:



Even coach/broadcaster Barry Melrose got in on the act.