This playoff season, New York Islanders fans can participate in the NHL playoffs like never before. The New York Islanders BEARD-A-THON® is an opportunity for fans to grow their own playoff beard and raise money for charity. Proceeds from the 2013 New York Islanders BEARD-A-THON® will benefit the Islanders Children’s Foundation.

Participants in the New York Islanders BEARD-A-THON® will encourage their family and friends to support their playoff beards. By joining the Islanders BEARD-A-THON®, fans pledge to maintain their beard as long as their team advances in the playoffs.

Those fans who can’t or don’t want to grow beards can still get involved by supporting their beard-growing friends or even the team’s players who are growing. As an added incentive, the team’s fan that raises the most money will win four tickets to a 2013-14 regular season home game* (GAME EXCLUSIONS APPLY) and a team signed jersey. In addition, the next top three fundraisers will also win two tickets to a 2013-14 regular season home game.

To enroll in the New York Islanders BEARD-A-THON®, visit www.beardathon.com/Islanders.

Fans can also participate in Smash Car during the postseason. Located on the plaza outside Nassau Coliseum, fans will have the opportunity to put their mark on the opposing team’s colors and logo by taking a sledgehammer to a car donated by E.W.G. Recycling and TNT Scrap. $5 dollars earns one swing, while $10 allows three swings. All proceeds will benefit the Islanders Children’s Foundation.

About BEARD-A-THON®

Since 2009, BEARD-A-THON® has raised more than $2 million for NHL team charities, and each year, some 7,000 fans, players and alumni sign up to grow in support of those worthy causes in their area.

About the Islanders Children’s Foundation

The New York Islanders Children's Foundation was created in the Summer of 2003, and is dedicated to supporting Long Island-based nonprofit organizations that provide opportunities to children. The Foundation will work those children's charities that focus on the areas of health, education and youth hockey development.

About Playoff Beards

A playoff beard is the superstitious practice of a hockey player not shaving his beard during the playoffs. The player stops shaving when his team enters the playoffs and does not shave until his team is either eliminated or wins the Stanley Cup®. The tradition was started in the 1980s by the New York Islanders.