NHL Goalie Tuukka Rask Saves His Hair with Dr. Lopresti
Tuukka Rask, renowned for his time as an elite NHL goaltender, has long been a familiar face in Boston sports. Known for his impressive career with the Boston Bruins, he cemented his legacy as one of the game’s premier goalies. A Vezina Trophy recipient and a Stanley Cup champion, Tuukka’s name holds a permanent place in Bruins history. Now, transitioning from the ice to the screen as a broadcaster for NESN’s alternative Bruins broadcasts, Tuukka’s appearance is taking center stage. This new chapter motivated him to address a challenge many individuals face: hair loss.
Tuukka, like many, had already heard about Dr. Lopresti’s exceptional work through his fellow Bruins players. Names like Charlie McAvoy, David Backes, Sean Kuraly, Matt Grzelcyk, and Chris Wagner are familiar not only for their contributions to the team but also as patients of Dr. Lopresti. These players, whether known for their leadership, tenacity, or standout skills, share the common experience of trusting their hair restoration to a proven expert.
In November, Tuukka visited our Newton, MA office for a consultation with Dr. Matthew Lopresti. At 37, he had started to notice thinning in his forelock, some recession on one side, and further thinning just behind the frontal forelock. Fortunately, his donor area had strong density, making him a good candidate for a hair restoration procedure.
“Dr. Lopresti walked me through the process step by step, which really put me at ease,” Tuukka said. “I already knew from teammates that I’d be in great hands, and everything confirmed that.”
After exploring his options, Tuukka chose to move forward with a Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) procedure, which took place in early December. The day started early at 6:30 a.m., with the recipient area carefully mapped out to design a natural-looking hairline. After numbing the donor site with local anesthesia, Dr. Lopresti began extracting grafts one by one as Tuukka lay comfortably. “The procedure was simple—honestly, it felt like just relaxing on a regular morning. Dr. Lopresti and the team made everything seamless,” Tuukka noted.
Once the donor grafts were ready, the focus shifted to the recipient area. Tuukka sat upright, watching Netflix, while Dr. Lopresti made precise incisions to prepare for the grafts. Our experienced technicians then carefully placed each graft to ensure a natural and harmonious result. By 1:00 p.m., the procedure was complete, and Tuukka was ready to head home.
“Tuukka was an excellent patient—calm and cooperative throughout,” said Dr. Lopresti. “He had a great donor area, which is crucial for a natural and successful outcome.”
Hair restoration results take time, but the payoff is transformative. Around the four-to-five-month mark, Tuukka will start seeing the first signs of new growth, with noticeable thickening and strengthening continuing up to 16–18 months post-procedure.
As a beloved figure in Boston, Tuukka knows the value of showing up at his best—whether in the crease or in front of a camera. His decision to pursue hair restoration reflects a shared desire to feel confident and comfortable in our own skin. If you’re noticing hair loss or thinning, follow Tuukka’s lead and book a complimentary consultation with Dr. Matthew Lopresti at Leonard Hair Transplant Associates. Together, we can craft a personalized plan to help restore not just your hair, but your confidence as well.