Today's Hair Styles, With Ovie and Tarik

Ok, time for some more commercial endorsements. Yes, that's right, in advance of the Caps' season opener OvieStyle.com is now up and running. That's the micro site promoting Alex Ovechkin's involvement with Hair Cuttery. (Programming note: everyone in any way affiliated with the Washington Capitals will be on a special Caps-only edition of Washington Post Live this evening on Comcast SportsyNet, including Ted Leonsis, George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and the Caps media corps.)

Anyhow, in addition to comical photos, the site provides some crucial life coaching advice from Ovechkin. Much of his coaching advice seems to revolve around a certain chain of hair salons. Like this:

The Penalty Box: I like people watching when I'm not playing too. Sometimes, I'll just find a comfortable spot (outside of a Hair Cuttery is great for this if you want to see all different looks and styles) and people watch. DC is so different than Moscow, I really just like watching people and learning about my new home that way.

Hair: Playing a sport where you wear a helmet all the time can really make you appreciate the times when you're not. I like my hair to look good. That's why I go to Hair Cuttery.

Look Your Best: On the ice or off it takes work to look good. When you're competing, it's all about passion and practice, but when you're walking around in your day-to-day life, it's about preparation. At least it is for me. Like knowing what kinds of clothes look good on me (which is why I've started my own clothing line) and knowing what hairstyle fits me best. That's a hard one. But if you find a place that you trust, a place that's been around and seen styles come and go, it's easier. You can go in and ask questions and get tips. That's one of the things I love about Hair Cuttery.

Well, I'm convinced, although I don't have quite so hard a time figuring out which hairstyle fits me best. And speaking of media members figuring out which hairstyle fits them best, check out this exclusive-to-the-Bog high school yearbook photo of Official Caps Beat Writer Tarik El-Bashir, who appears to be rocking a sweet early-'90s flat top. This was e-mailed to me by a Caps season-ticket holder, who met another season-ticket holder at a wedding, who told him that Tarik graduated Good Counsel the year after he did.

I'm not sure when Post beat writers became minor local celebrities, but if anyone has embarrassing middle-school pictures of Barry Svrluga or Ivan Carter or Jason La Canfora, bring 'em on.