Former NY Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello explains his unwritten clean shaven rule

Former New York Islanders GM and President of Hockey Operations Lou Lamoriello has never been shy about owning his philosophies, but few have followed him as publicly — or as consistently — as his rule that players must remain clean-shaven during the regular season. The policy became synonymous with Lamoriello-run teams in New Jersey, Toronto, and on Long Island. While many have speculated about its purpose, Lamoriello laid out the origins plainly in a recent interview with Allan Walsh and Adam Wylde on the Agent Provocateur podcast.

Lamoriello explained that the idea began not as a cosmetic preference, but as a daily reminder of identity and accountability. “I want you to wake up in the morning, and when you look in the mirror, you realize you’re a Toronto Maple Leaf, a New Jersey Devil, or a New York Islander,” Lamoriello said. Shaving, in his view, is the first conscious act a player takes each day — a small effort tied directly to representing the team. “You can swear at me all you want,” he added, but the routine reinforces that being part of the group comes before individual comfort.

The roots of the policy stretch back decades, inspired partly by Lamoriello’s early years recruiting in Europe and his observations of how military environments eliminate differences. He recalled how recruits receive the same haircut, shave, and uniform regardless of wealth, background, or status — a process that instantly levels the room and unifies the group. Lamoriello wanted the same sense of shared purpose within his teams. “It didn’t matter how affluent they were or how poor they were,” he said. “They were a team.”

He emphasizes that the rule was never written down, never an official mandate, but something players embraced organically in New Jersey’s early years. Over time, it became part of the culture. And while the teams relaxed the policy and grew beards in the postseason — when, as Lamoriello put it, players should think only about “going for the prize” — the core idea hasn’t changed.

To Lamoriello, the clean-shaven rule is not about appearance. It’s about unity, humility, and reminding his players that no matter how talented they are, the team comes first — every morning, razor in hand.