Despite having played five seasons and over 100 matches in the AIHL, and 15 matches for Australia, the CBR Brave’s Jimmy Byers may be best known for his trademark flow.

However, the 22-year old defenceman has put his luscious locks on the line on August 6, leaving it up to fans to donate money to a pair of GoFundMe campaigns to decide whether he keeps the flow or if it has to go.

All the proceeds from the fundraising will go to the Brave Foundation, which aims to raise funds and awareness for men’s mental health.

The Brave Foundation was set up a year ago in memory of Robbie McMullen, a close friend of the team, who took his own life after a battle with mental health.

“We lost someone pretty close to the team,” Byers said. “He [Robbie] was really good friends with the boys and brother-in-law of one player as well so when we lost him it was a big shock. We were out partying with him and then, all of a sudden come Monday, he was gone.”

The Brave management made the decision to take a positive from this tragic event by developing the Brave Foundation which raises money that is then donated to established organisations targeting men’s mental health in the community.

“It was set up to raise awareness and I think through a men’s hockey team it’s good to promote this cause and to promote the word getting out,” Byers said. “The money will go to other organisations such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue.” 

So despite brief considerations of whether he will lose his super powers if he cuts his hair, Jimmy has made the “big decision” to put his hair on the chopping block, saying “it’s important to get the word out about men’s mental health and depression.”

“It was my idea to cut it,” he said. “I was always going to cut it for charity but then when this cause came up through the Brave Foundation, I thought ‘go with it’.”

However, the fundraising idea has gone beyond the idea of just cutting Jimmy’s hair for the charity. This is a cut with a difference, donators are pitted against each other and can now contribute money to “see the Flow go” or to “keep the Flow bro” - whichever side raises the most money will decide whether Jimmy’s hair stays or goes, but all the proceeds regardless of the decision will go to the Brave Foundation.

Asked whether it’s likely the flow will be given an “unusual” style if cut, Byers said the style would be decided by donations.

“I think for a couple of days there’ll be a little bit of a surprise cut and then it will just go to a normal short haircut after that,” Byers said. “If we get quite a bit of money I might shave it. The more money we get the more likely I am to shave it.”

There is also a consideration to turn the cut hair into wigs for cancer patients, however Jimmy acknowledges he needs to do the proper enquiries to see if his hair is suitable.

“I’ve been talking to a few people and they think that the hair is not quite long enough, that it needs to be a little bit longer because they lose a lot of it through the process making the wigs,” he said. “But I still have to talk to them and see what they say.”

But the real question on everyone’s mind is what does Jimmy want?

“I’m not going to say until the day!” Byers deflected. “I don't want to influence the vote! I just want to raise as much money as I can.”

“The hair does stand out on the ice. It’s for a good cause, so in the end I might not be as recognisable out there but that’s okay. I just want to play hockey anyway.”

It is important for fans to know however that it is unlikely the flow will return if it is cut.

“I think it’s kind of a once in a lifetime kind of deal.” Byers said. “If I really don’t like the short hair, I might grow it back out again, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to stay short if I cut it.”

Luckily, if the flow does go, he says he’s lost most of his hairband collection over the past few years anyway, “so we’re good there”.

The message Jimmy, and the Foundation, want people to take away for this is clear.

“Just to speak up, talk to someone. If they look down, if you’re noticing any other signs, try and get them help. I think that’s the biggest thing, talking about the issues that we’re afraid to talk about.”

If you want to donate to Keep the Flow Bro, which Jimmy insists also includes “I like Jimmy with longer hair but it’s getting too long and needs a trim”, please follow this link.

If you want to donate to The Flow has got to Go, please follow this link.

If you’re not really concerned about Jimmy’s haircut, the Brave Foundation is still doing amazing work, so please donate to either of Jimmy’s fundraising pages, as it is all for a worthy cause.

And most importantly, if you or someone you know is suffering with mental health issues, speak up to someone you trust or contact Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14.