Leafs' Bertuzzi rocks new look after donating hair for charity

Tyler Bertuzzi. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Leafs' Bertuzzi almost unrecognizable after donating hair for charity

By Lauren Higgins | Last updated 2/5/24

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi returned from the All-Star break almost unrecognizable over the weekend. But the usually long-haired Bertuzzi was doing more than sporting a new look.

The left winger spent his bye week in Michigan. While there, he visited Alyssa Bellestri, a Detroit-based hairstylist who works for Wigs for Kids, a nonprofit that provides wigs to children suffering hair loss from cancer and other medical conditions.

"I donated my hair last year, and the lady that does it for me is in Michigan, too," Bertuzzi told the media. "It was kind of perfect timing, so I donated again to kids with cancer."

Bertuzzi says donating his hair had become an annual tradition. He first did it in 2022 when he was with the Detroit Red Wings.

Flow no more! ✂️

(+ donated to Wigs For Kids ) pic.twitter.com/UzUwTfzbUL
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 9, 2022

"This is my second time doing it," Bertuzzi said. "It's a yearly thing. It's tough for the kids and the families, and little things like that make a difference. Instead of just cutting it off and putting it in the garbage, might as well donate it to them."

This is the first time the 28-year-old has cut his hair midseason. While many may believe it correlates with trying to shake things up on the ice, the reason behind it is much more profound.

Fans can see Bertuzzi's new flow when the Leafs take on the New York Islanders on Monday at 7 p.m.

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