Dave Tippett, it’s time to bring back the TipStache

Moustaches, in my opinion, are one of the most effective ways of giving your face character and personality. Timeless and unique in their presentation, moustaches are often seen as a sign of manliness, ruggedness, elegance and at times, limitless power. And as our beloved Oilers prepare for a playoff push against the Winnipeg Jets, the need for laser-focused direction could never be higher which is why I am humbling myself before the Internet to ask that Dave Tippett bring back the TipStache. It is time.

We all know that playoff beards are a tradition as old as time when it comes to the NHL and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and I think it’s time for everyone to buy into the moment and that includes the head coach. Looking through the latest pictures on the Oilers’ social media channels, I see that some of the boys like Adam Larsson and Mike Smith are well on their way to strong playoff beard performances, and I believe that a TipStache would be like a lighthouse guiding us to victory and I would be failing the Nation if I didn’t do what I could to try and make this happen. I mean, the playoffs are a time for everyone to come together and as the head coach of the team, you have to be a part of that. Not to mention, look at the handsome face above. That man is stoic and knowledgeable, and I’d follow him into battle any day. Can you really suggest that this moustache would not make a difference in the way things go around here?

Picture this scenario for a second, won’t you… The Oilers close out their series against the Jets with an inspiring effort, and when the media asks Connor McDavid if there were any rallying points his team used as motivation that the public may not know about, he gives an answer that shocks the nation. Without skipping a beat, McDavid reaches into the pocket of his team-assigned hoodie and pulls out a laminated copy of the photograph above, displaying it for the world’s cameras to capture and savour. Sitting back in his chair, McDavid carefully places the picture face up on the table and takes a long deep breath before letting everyone know how important the TipStache was to him and his teammates. How it drove them to excellence.

As a good prairie boy, you represented Canada back in 1983-84 when you played for the Canadian men’s national hockey team — he played in 66 games, scoring 14 goals and 33 points — before signing with the Harford Whalers and I can imagine it was an honour that you carry with you to this day even though the Olympics didn’t go our way in the end. Here in 2021, I am once again asking for your support in pushing Canada’s team towards the ultimate goal of raising the Stanley Cup, bringing the NHL’s greatest prize back home to Edmonton where it belongs. It’s been 21 years since the Oilers won their fifth championship, and I really think it’s about damn time that we get back to hanging banners and putting trophies in the case.

Do you remember when we first met, Dave Tippett? You know, the time when you took a picture of the NationTruck right after we added the TipStache to the front of it? Look at the smile on your face, joy beaming from you like some kind of happiness forcefield. It was a great day. A great day just like today when you can make the decision to buy in with your playoff-bound boys and show this city how committed you are to winning and being an Oiler in general. I don’t want to have to remind you about your choice not to dawn the stache in the bubble, and how I personally believe that this decision contributed to the disaster that took place, so if we can just move past it by bringing the duster back for this run then that would be fantastic.

If you won’t do it for us, then I beg of you, Dave Tippett, do it for your family. You see these denim-built smiles? We can have moments like this again, Dave, but only if you get on board and help us out with your gift. Much like you’re probably asking your players to come together for their teammates and this city, I too am asking you to do what’s needed to push the Oilers to victory and that means bringing back the TipStache. Despite having to wear a mask on the bench, I’m asking you to ignore the temptation to say no because of mask-related discomfort and volunteer your lip for another tour of excellence. As the off-ice leader of this hockey club, it is your duty to heed the words of the Three Muskateers and create an environment of all of one and one for all. We need you, Dave. We need the TipStache.

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