If you've come to know Alex Ovechkin as the star with the scruffy, rugged beard, then you might not like this news. According to a press release, Ovechkin has signed a deal with Gillette to become a Brand Ambassador for the company. This means Ovechkin will appear in marketing and advertising opportunities with the company, including two television commercials, print and online advertisements and other materials. It also means that Ovechkin will partner with Gillette to form some charity programs designed for youth hockey development in Eastern Europe, Russia and the United States.
↵So basically, we're going to get a few more goofy Ovechkin commercials and some charity work. All this is good. The only downside is that the beard is probably going to have to go. Dan Steinberg spoke with Gillette spokesman Mike Norton, who said Ovechkin will have to be "well groomed" going forward.
↵↵↵↵↵"If you see Alex in some of his recent commercials, he's had kind of a clean-shaven look," Gillette spokesman Mike Norton told me. "With Gillette, we really want guys to look their best. And some guys like to be fully clean-shaven, some guys like goatees or well-trimmed beards. It's all about helping guys to look their best."
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↵Luckily, Gillette told Steinberg that they're cool with Ovie growing a playoff beard for the inevitable deep run to the Stanley Cup. Until then, though, we'll just have to get used to a "well-groomed" Ovechkin.
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