Joe Thornton and Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks are among 23 athletes to go au naturel in the 2017 edition of ESPN The Magazine's annual Body Issue.
Coming soon to ESPN's Body Issue: the Beards will bare it all. https://t.co/3fi3wEp2mN pic.twitter.com/yu3PDGh5a9
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) June 25, 2017
Their former teammate, Panthers defenseman Jason Demers, offered a classic response on Twitter: "Oddly enough this isn't the first time this has happened."
Oddly enough this isn't the first time this has happened #ESPNBODYISSUE @Burnzie88 @espn pic.twitter.com/ZXl4ra6fuu
— jason demers (@jasondemers5) June 25, 2017
To which Burns responded ....
Ha we could have a send another winger!!
— Brent Burns (@Burnzie88) June 25, 2017
The issue will also feature six members of the U.S. women's hockey team: Brianna Decker, Kacey Bellamy, Meghan Duggan, Alex Rigsby and twins Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando.
The magazine is scheduled for release July 7. Related content will be posted to ESPN.com on July 5.