Black Panther’s Paul Maurice says coaches don’t belong to the handshake – hockey writer – NHL News

Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice held a press conference on May 3 to discuss his ideas as his team prepares to face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the NHL playoffs. When senior coaches talk about many topics, one topic discussed caught some eyebrows.

“I don’t think the coach should shake hands with the players,” said the Panthers head coach.

It has nothing to do with Maple Leaf or head coach Craig Berube, which has nothing to do with the controversial nature of their first round defeat of Tampa Bay Lightning. Instead, Maurice said the line should be reserved for those who fought on the ice in 4-7 games.

NHL Tradition

The handshake line is a long and unique tradition of the NHL.

It is not clear when the handshake line will be launched in the NHL. However, it has been around for more than 100 years.

Hockey historian Liam Maguire has released a memoir online, with its origins dating back to 1908. He recalls 1908 newspaper editing involving the All-Star Game of the Eastern Amateur Hockey Association of Canada (ECAHA). The game was to benefit the legacy of Hod Stuart, a member of Montreal Wanderers who was killed in a dive accident.

A photo in the newspaper shows the two sides shaking hands. While this may not be the first team to be involved in the handshake line, it is the first instance of record in hockey.

Not Morris’ new opinion

Although Maurice supports the handshake line, he doesn’t think it should include coaches.

“When the whole thing started, I don’t know when it changed, maybe in the last decade, but the coaches would get off the bench, shake hands and they go away,” Morris said. “Somewhere, some coaches want to be on the camera, get there, and go into the line. Now, if you don’t, you’re baking for it, disrespectful.”

Maurice had previously skipped some handshake lines in the playoffs after the Panthers beat Lightning, and he did participate in the handshake.

When he was head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, Maurice did not compete in the handshake after the 2021 playoff series against the Montreal Canadaens.

Maurice explains why he skipped lines in a video conference that took place shortly after the series. “I’ve been back in the league for a long time. When I first started, the coach never shook hands on the player’s hands. I think that’s it. It should be for men who waving each other, fighting, claws and scratching the road in the series. It’s the player’s position.”

The coach’s handshake should be on the ice

During the media availability Saturday (May 3), Morris said he believes coaches should stay away from handshakes at any time after the game, which retains this great tradition for players.

“But you wear a suit in the game, and for those guys, the battle is real, intense and mean.

Related: Former Panther Can Push Maple Leaf in the Second Round Series

Maurice would rather keep her distance at the end of the horn and might encounter an opposing player in the stands to avoid attention.

Although he participated in the last handshake and added that he was “impressed” by what the Lightning player said about him on the handshake line, the question of whether Morris would or would not be able to participate in the handshake line added a new layer of intrigue to enter the game against Leaf.

Should the coach participate in the handshake line? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.