Boston Bruins Legendary NHL Goaltender Tuukka Rask’s Hair Restoration

As a legendary NHL goaltender, Tuukka Rask is no stranger to the spotlight. With an illustrious career spent between the pipes for the Boston Bruins, Rask earned a reputation as one of the league’s top goalies. A former Vezina Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion, his name is forever etched in Boston sports history. After years of donning his goalie mask, Rask is now stepping into a new role as a broadcaster for NESN’s alternative Bruins broadcasts. And as his face is now front and center, appearance matters more than ever. This shift led Tuukka to take the first steps toward addressing a concern many people face—hair loss.

Tuukka, like many patients, was familiar with Dr. Lopresti’s work from past Bruins teammates. Players like Charlie McAvoy, David Backes, Sean Kuraly, Matt Grzelcyk, and Chris Wagner have all trusted Dr. Lopresti with their hair restoration needs. These athletes have experienced their own incredible achievements—McAvoy as an All-Star, Backes as a veteran leader, Kuraly for his grit, Grzelcyk for his strong defensive play, and Wagner for his hustle on the ice—each of them proud to have worked with Dr. Lopresti.

In November, Tuukka came into our Newton, MA office to meet with Dr. Matthew Lopresti for his initial consultation. At 37 years old, Rask was noticing his forelock thinning, with slight recession on one side and thinning behind the frontal forelock. His donor area had good density, which was a promising sign for a successful hair restoration procedure.

“Dr. Lopresti explained everything step by step, which made me feel at ease,” Rask shared. “It was clear I was in good hands. I’ve heard nothing but great things about him from former teammates.”

After discussing options, Tuukka opted for a Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) procedure, which was performed in early December. The procedure began bright and early at 6:30 a.m. After carefully mapping out the recipient area on Tuukka’s scalp—including the design of his hairline—our staff numbed the donor area at the back of his head with a local anesthetic. Once the donor site was ready, Dr. Lopresti removed grafts one by one while Tuukka lay face down. “The procedure was easy, and honestly, it felt like I was just relaxing on a regular morning. Dr. Lopresti and his team made the process smooth and comfortable,” said Rask.

Next, it was time to prepare the recipient area. With Tuukka sitting upright and relaxing with Netflix, Dr. Lopresti made the necessary incisions for the grafts to be placed. Our skilled medical technicians meticulously transplanted the donor hairs, ensuring a natural look that complements Tuukka’s profile. By 1:00 p.m., the procedure was complete, and Tuukka was on his way home.

“Tuukka’s procedure went smoothly, and he was a great patient,” said Dr. Lopresti. “He was calm throughout the process, even during the more delicate portions. He also had a good donor area for an FUE transplant, which means his results will look natural. “

The timeline for hair transplantation is a gradual one, but the results are worth the wait. Around four to five months’ post-op, Tuukka will start seeing new growth, with fine hairs making their debut. By 16 to 18 months, the final results will be in: thicker, stronger hair that’s here to stay.

As someone who spent years as a fan favorite in Boston, Tuukka understands the importance of delivering his best, whether on the ice or in front of the camera. His decision to undergo a FUE hair transplant procedure is a testament to how we all want to feel confident in our own skin.

If you’re noticing thinning hair or recession, take a page from Tuukka’s playbook and schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Matthew Lopresti, at Leonard Hair Transplant Associates. Together, we can design a game plan to restore your hair and your confidence.