San Jose Sharks teammates Joe Thornton and Brent Burns haven't been just two of the best players in the NHL this season, they have also developed two of the most recognizable beards in the league. Unlike most players, they didn't just start growing them for the playoffs. These things have been growing all season.
When it comes to Burns, he has slowly been transforming into a pile of hair for the past few years. Thornton's beard has been a new development, and it has had quite a journey during the 2015-16 season.
Let's take a look at where it started, and where it stands before Thornton and the Sharks take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final starting on Monday night.
The season opener: An obviously thick, full beard, but nothing that really stands out as anything out of the ordinary. At this point, it is still by far the second most famous beard on his team behind Burns.
Early December: There isn't much change from what we saw in October. Still an impressive beard, but only a fraction of what it is soon to become.
Late January: Now we are starting to get somewhere. Things are starting to get a little out of control not only with the beard, but with the hair as well. This is also the first time we start to see the different colors that are on display throughout the beard.
February. Starting to really take shape.
First round of the playoffs. We are now starting to reach legendary beard status at this point.
Stanley Cup Final. Starting at center for the San Jose Sharks, No. 19, Yukon Cornelius.
