Liam Reddox is one of 15 Falcons players taking part in Movember. (photo: Springfield Falcons/AHL)

For the month of November, several of the Springfield Falcons players will be growing out moustaches in order to raise money and donations from family, friends, and fans to support cancer research.

This global charity event has become more and more popular since its conception in 2003 when a few Australians came up with the idea. The Australian males who came up with the idea were joking about 1980’s fashion, including the moustache when they made the decision to bring back the stache. They used their new facial hair to help raise money for prostate cancer research, which has ultimately led to the worldwide event known only as Movember. It is called Movember because it takes place during the month of November and for the Australian slang word “Mo”, which means moustache.

Leading the charge for the Falcons is Right Wing Colton Fretter. Fretter has been encouraging his teammates to start the month of November clean shaven followed by growing out their moustaches to raise money for cancer research. The Falcons players participating in Movember will join the thousands of other “Mo Bros”, as they are officially called, in the cause to raise money and awareness to cancer research.

• Visit the Springfield Falcons Movember page to keep tabs on the 15 participating Falcons players
• Stay updated on how the Oilers players are doing for Movember

Colin McDonald

“We’re getting donations for growing moustaches,” said Fretter, “And all the money raised is going to go to help further research of colon cancer and testicular cancer and to keep it in Springfield too, with it going to Bay State Health. So we are going to grow moustaches for the whole month and try to raise awareness and it is a good cause.”

Currently, Movember has raised $47 million worldwide, making it the world’s largest charity event for men. It has raised awareness to men’s health issues and is helping spread the important messages to men of all ages on what health risks they may be facing.

“I think it’s important,” said Fretter on why he decided to get involved in Movember, “Guys’ cancers are not as commonly seen as other cancer awareness. I think it’s important that a team of all guys is going to take a stand and try to raise some money for a thing that affects a lot of men.”

Not a member of the male population? Not a problem. “Mo Sistas” as they are called can help out as well. “Mo Sistas” can donate, support, and raise awareness to cancers that can affect men as well as admire the moustaches that they love so much.

Fretter got the idea for the Falcons to join Movember after one of his friends did it with his business, receiving good feedback on the event last year. Fretter thought it would be interesting to be part of this event with a group of guys who are in the public eye.

Lanny McDonald

Also joining the Springfield players in Movember are seven members of the NHL affiliate Edmonton Oilers, including former member of this year’s Falcons, Taylor Chorney. The majority of Fretter’s teammates will follow his lead and grow moustaches too, and as athletes tend to do, there might be a competition to see who can grow the best stache.

“Colin McDonald’s is pretty funny,” Fretter said when asked on who will have the best upper lip fuzz, “He’s got it pretty thick. I don’t know. I’m anxious to see, we got a whole month.”

Of course as all competitions are, when there is a best there must be a worst. Fretter answered that quickly saying, “Bryan Lerg. It’s going to be like in grade nine growing your first moustache.”

And who knows which player will end up with the best moustache; maybe one will grow one as good as hockey Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald’s.