George Parros: My wedding and my mustache

I am told there have been a lot of questions coming in regarding my wedding, so I figured I would make this week’s blog more on a personal level. The wedding took place at the end of this summer in Paso Robles, which is north of Santa Barbara. It was a perfect weekend for a wine country wedding. The weather was ideal for our outdoor ceremony right on the edge of a vineyard. It was kind of funny for my wife and I to pick this locale because neither one of us is exactly a sommelier. When they asked us to order the wine for the reception from their extensive menu, we just told them to pick something for us ... needless to say, they were puzzled.

My wife and I made sure to put our own stamp on the weekend event. I decided to have a barbershop quartet perform before the ceremony. I have always loved that stuff -- maybe it’s from watching too much “Family Guy.” We decided on having a country band play at the reception, and for a surprise, Tiffany (my wife) hired cigar rollers for all our guests to enjoy. The following day, we went to a local water park because, wedding weekend or not, who doesn't love water slides? We had an incredible time, but I guess it wasn't your typical wedding. The funny part about the whole thing was that I got to spend my honeymoon at Anaheim ICE for training camp. I am going to assume that it ranks as one of the worst honeymoons all time!

Because this blog has a more personal tone to it, I figured I would spend some time on a subject very personal to me: the mustache. I have often been quoted on my mustache views and have obviously gained a strong foothold in the mustache community. Being that it is "Movember," when mustaches are grown worldwide all month long in the name of men's health awareness and to raise funds for prostate and testicular cancer, I think it is appropriate that I share some of my mustache inspiration with you. 

I have said before that I believe the mustache is the physical embodiment of all that is manly. Here are some of my favorite 'staches of all time...

Favorite sports 'staches: Terry Ruskowski, former captain of the L.A. Kings; Wade Boggs and Don Mattingly … all very thick and full-bodied, very blue collar.

Favorite actor 'staches: Burt Reynolds, Sam Elliott, Chuck Norris, Earl (Jason Lee) … all different in their own way, all amazing. 

'Staches I’m told resemble my own: Frank Zappa, Yanni, Gallagher, Tom Selleck …a very eclectic group.

I would like to encourage the growth of any and all mustaches, especially this month if you are participating in “Movember” (like our newly acquired goaltender, Justin Pogge). Be on the lookout toward the end of the month because the team store at the Honda Center will be carrying my new line of "Stache Gear." It’s a collection of hats and T-shirts, which will benefit two of my favorite charities: the Childhood Leukemia Foundation and Garth Brooks' Teammates For Kids.

This way you won't have to grow a 'stache to support a good cause.

-- George Parros

Upper photo: Tom Selleck. Credit: Associated Press

Lower photo: Sam Elliott. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Dovave Myers]

I can appreciate Parros' humor and he seems like a decent guy, but I think his role on the Ducks drags the sport down and prevents it from becoming more popular. I am sure some fans appreciate the fights even though they have nothing to do with the outcome (the team with more goals, not fights, still wins the game, right?), but how many fans ignore the NHL because of this? In light of poor TV ratings and decreased attendance, why not punish all fighters with immediate ejection to at least give the impression that fighting will not be tolerated? Sitting in the penalty box for 5 minutes out of a 60 minute game does not seem like much of a deterrent. And yes, traditionalists, I have played the game for well over 2 decades and understand the sport quite well.

[Lisa]

George-- your wedding sounds like it was very unique and fun. I had no idea one could hire cigar rollers.

Your love for the mustache is hilarious. Movember is a great way to get men talking about their health. And the ladies love a man with a upper lip sweater!

[Jeff]

I think Dovave is definitely in the minority - in the nascar and UFC society we live in, it's ridiculous to suggest that fights detract from the entertainment value. When there's a fight, the whole crowd is on their feet, the players are banging their sticks, and what do you see on the highlights? goals and fights.

And there's no doubt a good fight can change the momentum of a game and inspire a team. It's part of the game, and a great part of the game, there's no need to change it!

George is a great example of the typical fighter in the NHL. Most are some of the more intelligent and insightful guys on the team. A Princeton grad, no less! Awesome.

[Pete]

Fights were what made me get into watching hockey! Without fights or hitting, the sport is booooooooring! Might as well watch figure skating. Everyone I know that watches hockey gets pumped up because of the fights and physical aspect of the game. Dovave must be a Red wings fan.

[Dunkle]

I disagree with Dovave Myers regarding fighting in hockey. Fighting in hockey is not fighting for fighting's sake...there is a purpose behind the fighting, and a code that the players fight by. I am a woman who is relatively new to hockey, and I love the fights. Please don't take the fighting out of hockey!!

[Jennifer]

Congrats on getting married. Good job against the kitties (Preds). I like the fighting in hockey as long as you obey the code of fighting.
I'll be looking for those 'stashe hats.

[Cindy Hallsin]

I re-read the initial post and what Dovave suggested is merely to eject fighters rather than subject them to a relatively small amount of time in the penalty box. Fighting would still occur, it would just be treated in the same manner as the other major sports handle it. What's so wrong with that? Before you readers and fight lovers jump all over an intelligent post, why not read it completely so you understand the argument before incorrectly bashing it?

[Jeff]

Cindy, take your own advice. Dovave says that fighting drags the sport down and prevents it from being more popular, and that fighting has nothing to do with the outcome, and suggests "giving the impression that fighting is not tolerated".

All of which are (in my opinion) ridiculous assertions. That's what I was commenting on in Dovave's intelligent post. And you jumped all over our posts without reading them completely to understand the arguments before incorrectly bashing them. Delightful irony!

[Frank Sabotka]

"And yes, traditionalists, I have played the game for well over 2 decades and understand the sport quite well."

You sure fooled me.

[Ken]

Will the stache gear be available on line to the East coast/Princeton U. stache fans?

[Heidi]

George, I love watching you and the rest of the Ducks team play. I took ice skating lessons and came to the realization that I would never play the game --- not stable enough on skates. It takes talent and lots of training to skate the way you guys do, handle the sticks and shoot those pucks and every game you guys amaze me even more. Keep up the good work because I am seeing you guys coming together every game and you all make me proud to be an Anahiem Duck fan.

Heidi in Blair NE

[Kristine]

Any idea when your annual haircut will be held this year? My daughter has very long locks she's ready to part with for a good cause and for Georgie!! :)

[Derek J]

George,
Another great blog! Our Jason Chimera (Columbus Blue Jackets) has been growing a stache for Movember as well! What a great way to raise awareness! My family and I recently went to an indoor water park here in Columbus and you are right, we are never too old to enjoy a good water slide!! Write on! Derek