Tucson Roadrunners forward Curtis Douglas is taking one for the team, imploring people to “#askmeaboutmymullet” in the name of mental health.
Douglas’ “March Mullets for Mental Health” venture is about getting people to open up and break down barriers in talking about mental health.
The 6-9 forward’s current hairdo features the business in the front (short) and party in the back (longer hair), while it’s shaved on the sides. The idea is that people will see his eye-catching hair and ask why, starting a conversation about mental health.
“If I can impact a few lives or whatever, if some people can feel closer and be able to share their stories with me, I think that’s a win,” Douglas said. “So far it’s been pretty positive for myself and I think it’s always fun for me to do and look like an idiot for a little while and have some fun with it.”
Tucson Roadrunners director of communications Adrian Denny holds a bucket of raffle tickets for Roadrunners forward Curtis Douglas to choose a winner during the team’s season-ticket holder meet-and-great luncheon on Oct. 18, 2023 at Tucson Convention Center. Fast forward to March, and Douglas has shaved the sides of his heads, but let the back grow out as part of his “#askmeaboutmymullet” effort to raise awareness in the name of mental health.
He started doing it in 2022 when he played for AHL’s Toronto Marlies and brought it to Tucson last season. March is the 24-year-old’s birthday month.
Tucson Roadrunners forward Curtis Douglas’ current hairdo is business in the front, party in the back, with the bruising AHL veteran imploring fans to “askmeaboutmymullet,” in the name of starting conversations about mental health.
“People in Toronto were really supportive and then I got here and then people here in Tucson were really supportive of the idea, Douglas said. “They’ve been awesome with helping me get the idea around and kinda making sure the message gets out there.”
Tucson Roadrunners forward Curtis Douglas’ current hairdo is business in the front, party in the back, with the bruising AHL veteran imploring fans to “askmeaboutmymullet,” in the name of starting conversations about mental health.
Douglas, who juniors for the Barrie Colts and then the Windsor Spitfires, made his professional debut in the Alps Hockey League in 2020-21 before moving up to the AHL. He played for the Belleville Senators and Marlies before Tucson. In November 2022, the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes traded defenseman Conor Timmins for Douglas, who was assigned to the Roadrunners.
This weekend, the Roadrunners (33-19-3-2) close out their homestand with a series against the Texas Stars (28-24-3-2) on Saturday night (7 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon (4 p.m.). Both games are at Tucson Arena.
Tucson head coach Steve Potvin praised Douglas’ bruising style on the ice, calling him a “tower of power,” saying he’s a menace to play against and he likes his off ice efforts.
“Mental health is such a big part of our youth and such a part of our culture these days and it’s real refreshing to see players step up and really aid in any way they can,” Potvin said. ‘It just goes to show what type of character, the type of heart the man has.”
Tucson Roadrunners center Curtis Douglas (28) charges into the face-off scrum against San Diego in the second period of the team's AHL game at Tucson Arena Oct. 24, 2023.
Douglas is also raising funds for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation in Toronto. He put up a link to a Go Fund Me for it on his Instagram page, @curtisdouglas21.
“Mental health is such a big part of today’s world and I think what Dougie’s doing is such a great thing,” Tucson left wing Travis Barron said. “I know he posted a link on his socials, so if anyone listening here could click it and read into it, it would be awesome.”
Douglas is from Oakville, Ontario, which is between Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario.
“The main slogan is ‘Ask Me About My Mullet’ and stating those uncomfortable conversations and once I started doing that I started realizing how both parties advanced in life and improved in day-to-day situations,” Douglas said. “I think you never really know what people are going through and I was just really excited with how it started to go.”
Slap shots
With the 4-0 and 6-2 wins over the Henderson Silver Knights on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Roadrunners jumped from fourth place to sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division heading into the weekend’s games.
Saturday is First Responders Night, starting with a game between the Tucson Fire Department and Tucson Police Department at Tucson Arena at 4:30 p.m. The Roadrunners are auctioning off first responders-themed locker room name plates and signed pucks on Dash.
Then on Sunday the Roadrunners will have a St. Patrick’s Day tailgate featuring live music from The Out of Kilters, yard games, inflatable slapshot and food and beverages. There will be a postgame with free skate rental and the Roadrunners will wear St. Patrick’s Day warm-up jerseys.
The sweaters, locker room name plates and pint glasses are being auctioned also on Dash. Fans can see the Roadrunners’ Dash listings at: fans.winwithdash.com/team/tucsonroadrunners.
