When Martin Necas took the ice for warmups at PPG Paints Arena at the start of the Carolina Hurricanes’ six-game road trip, there was something different about him.
Was it trust? Swagger?
Well, sure, but the most important thing was the fact that his hair was a different color.
The Czech forward, a natural brunette, skated around with blonde matte buds.
And the reason for it?
“I lost a bet.”
Necas said he lost a bet to teammate Brendan Lemieux earlier this month.
“At first [Lemieux] He was supposed to shave his head, but then we found out he didn’t have much hair left on his head,” Necas said. “So we didn’t want him to do that because it might never grow back.”
Ultimately, the two made a slightly different bet – a bit of money and a date with a box of hair dye – over a stroke play match at Old Chatham Golf Club and Necas claims it went all the way to a play-off. before ultimately coming up short.
So when he walked into the practice at the Invisalign Arena on the day of their flight to Pittsburgh, Necas was there in all his blonde glory.
But with four goals and ten points since his debut, many think he should keep the lackluster tips.
“We’ll see, we’ll see. So far it’s been going pretty well, but I don’t think it’s the blonde hair,” Necas said with a laugh. “I said if we kept the road trip going I would keep him, but the loss in St. Louis….”
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Necas said he’s already tried to cut it once to no avail, so for now it looks like it’s here to stay.
But superstitions aside, it was a great start for the talented striker.
Necas has been lethal at 5v5, on the power play and especially in overtime, helping set up two game winners so far.
“I’ve had great opportunities here,” Necas said. “A lot of space. I’m just trying to do my stuff. Play pretty simple, but when I have time, make some plays. Also playing with great teammates, great linemates and the power play has been pretty good so far. I feel Good .”
The Canes need their young players like Necas to really take charge this season and so far that’s exactly what they’ve gotten.
But maybe a team outing to the salon wouldn’t hurt either.
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