Bruins Shave Heads, Raise $130K For Pediatric Cancer Care At 8th Annual 'Cuts For A Cause'
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Bruins started Tuesday morning as a fairly shaggy bunch, with numerous members of the team sporting long hair and lengthy beards.
The beards remain, for now, but gone are all those long locks. Every member of the team had their head shaved Tuesday at the eighth annual "Cuts For A Cause," raising over $130,000 for pediatric cancer care in the process.
The amount raised is a new record for the event, which was hosted by the Bruins' Patrice Bergeron and 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich.
Lucky fans who made generous bids (raising over $31,000 alone for the event) got a chance to play barber for their favorite players, with a special VIP meet and greet beforehand. Hundreds of other fans and listeners packed the Boston Park Plaza Hotel to watch, with Toucher & Rich emceeing the event. Rich and Jon Wallach both received their own "cuts," with Rich's kids giving their dad a buzz.
VIEW: Cuts For A Cause Photo Gallery | Video Of Bruins Getting Their 'Cuts'
This marks the first time in the event's eight years that all members of the Bruins took part in the "cuts" portion. In past years, some players opted to make a generous donation themselves rather than have a buzzer put to their head.
But that wasn't the case this year, and "Cuts For A Cause" was even bigger success because of it.
"We have a chance to give back, and every time we have that opportunity it's important to grab it. Shaving our heads is so easy," said Bergeron. "It took some negotiating to get some of the guys on board, but it's great to have the whole team and it speaks volumes to their want to be part of the community."
VIEW: Before & After Photos
Forward Loui Eriksson, who prior to Tuesday had a nice flowing head of hair, took the most convincing, but said on stage that his trepidation was overplayed by his teammates.
Either way, everyone was happy that all members of the team were involved.
"We know it's huge for the community and we love to help out," Bruins captain Zdeno Chara told WBZ-TV's Steve Burton shortly after his cut. "It never gets old. This is always fun and we love to do this. We raised more money than last year."
"I'm an original," said forward Milan Lucic. "I was part of the first group to do it and I've done it every year since. Know what though; it's never been this cold this time of the year, so I'm definitely going to feel it this time."
In addition to getting to watch their favorite players lose their do's, a couple of lucky young fans got Brad Marchand to leave the stage during his haircut and sign a couple of autographs:
The event has now raised nearly half a million dolars since it began back in 2008 with then-Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward leading the way (only seven members of the team participated in the inaugural year). That torch was passed down to Shawn Thornton, now a member of the Florida Panthers, in 2010 before Bergeron took over this year.
WATCH: Tony Mazz, Jim Murray Get Their 'Cuts' | Michael Felger Gets His Cut For A Cause
All proceeds earned will be donated to the Boston Bruins Foundation and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.
Tune in to Toucher & Rich every weekday from 6-10 a.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub!
