6/15/10: Penguins fans No. 1 in Beard-A-Thon Fundraising

Pittsburgh Penguins fans led the NHL in “Beard-A-Thon” fundraising during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs – raising more than $91,000 for the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

Fans were encouraged to grow their own “playoff beards” or pledge another throughout the post-season. Celebrity beard-growers included Lemieux, Penguins players Max Talbot and Pascal Dupuis, and broadcasters Dan Potash of FSN Pittsburgh, Bill Phillips of WPXI and Vinnie Richichi of 93.7 The Fan.

Penguins fans more than doubled the fund-raising efforts of any other team’s fans during the Beard-A-Thon. In all, more than 1,400 Penguins fans grew beards, helping to raise $91,078.

“We want to thank our fans for once again showing they are the best fans in the NHL,” said team president David Morehouse. “To have them come together and support a great charitable cause in a fun way is all part of the fabric of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey.”