Wild are part of a growing movement

The Minnesota Wild are getting ready to embark on one of their most recognizable charity drives of the season as the calendar turns from October to Movember. Movember is an annual November event that encourages men to grow their Mo (slang for moustache) to raise awareness and funds for cancers affecting men. Wild defenseman Nick Schultz was one of the first NHL players to embrace the cause after the father of one of his closest friends developed prostate cancer. Schultz then was turned on to Movember, a nonprofit organization that promotes men's health, particularly in November. The organization, conceived in 1999 by four Aussies at a bar and formed in 2004, requires its supporters to grow moustaches during November, serving as the ultimate conversation starter to talk about men's health. Since Movember got started, the organization has raised more than 100 million for cancer research. Schultz began growing his first Movember moustache in 2009. Next thing he knew, his Wild teammates were growing moustaches as well to support Schultz and men's health. Schultz has been impressed by all the support. "It has been incredible the way they guys have jumped in to support this cause, he said. What started as a small gesture has turned into a yearly tradition that everyone embraces." Last Nov. 26, the Wild set a Guinness Book world record for the most moustached men in one photo when 1,131 gathered on the Xcel Energy Center ice. We're thrilled to have the guys on the Minnesota Wild and across the NHL support Movember by growing Mos, said Adam Garone, CEO and co-founder of Movember. These guys will grow moustaches that will serve as the perfect vehicle to prompt important conversations about men's health and prostate cancer. We encourage men across Minnesota to join the Wild and sign up for the campaign at Movember.com. A 501(c)non-profit, Movember benefits the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong. Once again, there will be locations throughout the Xcel Energy Center where fans can make donations throughout November. "Our fans have been outstanding with this great cause, and it was really awesome to see so many people on the ice last year for the world record picture," forward Cal Clutterbuck said. In years past, Wild players have shown off a variety of old-school looks for Movember -- including the Rock Star, the Business Man, the Trucker and the fan favorite Freestyler. The slow growth starts Tuesday night as the Wild play in Detroit against the Red Wings and runs through Nov. 30, when the team closes out Movember in Edmonton against the Oilers.