It’s that special time of the year again when all of our favorite hockey players dress up in hilarious and sometimes ridiculously tiny, costumes, for our entertainment.  Most of the time, it is to bring joy and smiles to sick kids.  But sometimes it is strictly for our enjoyment.

Especially these two…

Dallas Stars (Tyler Segiun, Jamie Benn, Cody Eakin, Brenden Dillon)

TURTLE POWER!

TURTLE POWER!  Seguin as Raphael? Benn as Leonardo?  If you know anything about TMNT, you know how supremely perfect this is.

Our love for Beguin is real and true, but this year’s Candy Bowl goes to Matt Fraser, Dougie Hamilton, Kevan Miller, Matt Bartkowski, Torey Krug, and Seth “Stewie” Griffith from the Boston Bruins.

Couple of years ago, we had Zee Bunny. This year, we get Dougi-Elsa.

We applaud these men for completely letting go of their ego (and their dignity) to don these costumes to cheer up a bunch of sick kids.

Krug totally loves warms hugs. Griffith’s Hans wig gives new meaning to the term hockey hair. And Matt Fraser, bless his heart) looks like a ‘roided out Pippi Longstocking.

But let’s be honest – Matt Bartkowski is everything.  If there was anyone on the Bruins roster that could pull off that look, it was Bart.  The Sven the Reindeer costume look absolutely perfect on him.  When he come to the WUYS Fancy Dress Party as my date, I want him to wear that.

I love it and I love him. Be my boyfriend.

“Who’s the funky looking donkey over there?” “Oh that’s Sven.”

I’m sure the Bruins weren’t the only team to dress up and have a good time, but boy, did they do it with some flair.

And totally crush-worthy.

This week’s honoree has got it in spades.

So let’s look at the reasons why Barty gets this week’s honor (besides his obvious awesomeness)

In the pantheon of NHL defensemen, Bartkowski does get instant name recognition (not yet at least).  The 25 year old defenseman is in his 1st full NHL season and along with Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton, is leading the wave of up and coming Bruins’ blueliners.

I’m Polish. He has a Polish last name.  Now, I don’t know if he is Polish like I’m Polish, but I bet my Babcia wouldn’t mind if I brought him home for dinner.  I hope he likes pierogi and kielbasa.

He is a Pittsburgh native (Mt. Lebanon, to be specific).  While the Pens aren’t my team, I do like their city. Especially the maple bacon donuts from Peace, Love, and Little Donuts. Who am I kidding? I LOVE these mini pieces of heaven.

We could eat them together as we ride the city’s incline trains.

His budding bromace with Torey Krug.  Watching this love story develop is really quite beautiful.  It’s like a really good Hallmark movie…except with more hockey and less dying or drama.

To see more of their love, check out episode 3 of “Behind the B”. There is a car-sing long.  To Rush, no less. #epic #nerdtastic 

Fashion.  It don’t mean a thing to him. He’s a simple man.

We appreciated a man who takes the time to learn our language.

Who got the FLOW? Matt got the flow.  And it’s amazing.

Matt Bartkowski, ladies and gentleman.  I’m crushing.  Hard.  If this was high school, I would now be doodling Matt + Chuck 4-eva on my trapper keeper and finding out ways to get him to ask me to prom.