Hockey players, journalist willing to go bald to defeat childhood cancer

But it turns out that beneath their gruff exteriors, those Wranglers are really a bunch of softies.

Better make that bald softies.

At last count, nine Wranglers players had agreed to shave their heads to help raise money for the St. Baldrick’s children’s cancer research charity. In addition, proceeds from tickets for the Wranglers’ March 7 game purchased through the charity’s local host, McMullan’s Irish Pub, will also benefit St. Baldrick’s.

“We’re hoping to sell as many as we can,” says Brian McMullan, who runs the pub with his wife, Lynn.

To date, St. Baldrick’s nationally has raised more than $34 million for the fight to cure childhood cancer.

Last year, the local event at the pub located at 4650 W. Tropicana Ave. raised $152,000 with nearly every dollar benefiting a local children’s cancer clinic.

In addition to an assist from the Wranglers, Euphoria Spas will also shave heads for the charity.

This year, they’ll shave heads at McMullan’s from 2 p.m. until 4 a.m. to accommodate the late-night crowd and to welcome a group representing Cirque du Soleil into the family of chrome domes.

Readers of this column know childhood cancer is a subject dear to my heart. In case you’re wondering whether I’ll be putting my money where my scalp is again this year, the answer is yes. For the right price, I’ll even let you do the cutting.

No irate casino moguls, recently paroled wise guys, or grudge-toting ex-girlfriends, please.

PARTIAL JUROR: Jury selection went relatively smoothly earlier in the week in visiting U.S. District Judge Justin Quackenbush’s courtroom in the medical malpractice fraud trial of attorney Noel Gage.

But, come to think of it, there was one prospective juror who couldn’t help but express his opinion about the legal profession.

He didn’t think he could sit as an impartial juror because, “I don’t trust attorneys.”

He was, of course, addressing a judge who was an attorney in a room full of defense lawyers and federal prosecutors.

“All of them I’ve dealt with think they’re above the law,” he said. “Once they get that law degree they think they can argue their way out of anything and aren’t accountable for what they do.”

Uh, juror excused.

Opening statements began Thursday morning in a trial expected to last more than four weeks.

ASSISTING THE ‘SHARK’: If you were a UNLV Runnin’ Rebels fan during the latter years of coach Jerry Tarkanian’s amazing tenure, you’ll certainly recognize Bo Doyle’s face — or at least the mug of his alter-ego. Doyle was better known as the guy in the shark costume.

Now Doyle, a longtime local drummer, is facing a challenge in the form of lung cancer. The nonsmoker is receiving help from his friends in the blues community in the form of a formidable, 15-band benefit concert set for March 8 at Scoundrel’s bar. Fans of Sweet Al Miller, Stoney Curtis, Pete Contino, and Mike Mahoney will be in for a treat. For his part, Doyle is a former drummer with Contino’s popular band.

The outpouring of admiration has impressed Doyle’s friend, bluesman John Earl Williams.

“It’s like someone dropped a bomb on it,” Williams says. “It’s just exploded. Everyone wants to play. We took the first 15 bands and we’re going to go at it. Bo’s a great guy. Everybody loves him.”

REID’S READER: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s new book, “The Good Fight: Hard Lessons From Searchlight to Washington,” is set for release May 6. The memoir is written with Esquire executive editor Mark Warren.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Muhammad Ali has no greater defender in Las Vegas than his longtime friend and facilitator, Luxor marketing veteran Gene Kilroy. The new HBO special on Joe Louis, in which Ali is pitted as the Brown Bomber’s critic, has Kilroy lobbying for equal time. … Las Vegan Shane Victorino, a rising star with the Philadelphia Phillies, made a lot of young friends at the Bat-R-Up batting cages before heading off to spring training. He was a hit with scores of Little Leaguers who regularly descend on the facility at 3040 Simmons in North Las Vegas.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.