EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) — Images from the New York Islanders’ annual charity golf outing last month on social media went viral because something was very different about some of the familiar faces fans have seen for years.

Many had beards on them.

Facial hair is back in style on Long Island in the post-Lou Lamoriello era. The old-school hockey executive during his seven years in charge had a policy, much like late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, requiring players, coaches and staff to be clean shaven.

Lamoriello’s contract was not renewed last spring, and the beards have returned for coach Patrick Roy and many of the Islanders. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin even has one for the first time in his NHL career.

“It’s one less thing to worry about when you come to the rink,” forward an

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