Brind’Amour Disagrees with Maurice on the Ritual of Greetings at the End of the Series
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed his surprise at Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice’s request not to participate in the handshake line at the end of the series. Brind’Amour expressed his disagreement with the idea that this gesture should be limited to the players. Maurice has attempted to establish a new tradition in the NHL, where coaches and support staff do not participate in the handshake line, a decades-old ritual that takes place at center ice after teams are eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs.Previously, Maurice requested Craig Berube, coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, to refrain from participating in the second round, to which Berube agreed. After the Panthers eliminated the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Raleigh, Maurice made the same request to Brind’Amour, who responded affirmatively.
There’s a long list of people in suits and tracksuits. We had about 400 people on the ice. They’re all very important to our group, but none of them played. There’s something for me visually with the camera focused only on the men who played, who blocked shots and who fought for each other.
Paul Maurice
At the Hurricanes’ press conference on Tuesday, Brind’Amour admitted to understanding Maurice’s point of view. However, he noted that participating in the handshakes is a display of “losing with grace” and that he will not continue with Maurice’s tradition next season.
Brind’Amour pointed out that this tradition gives him the opportunity to share a moment with players he coached, such as when he greeted former Hurricanes players who are now on the New Jersey Devils during Carolina’s first-round victory.Reflecting on it, I’ve had very impactful memories and moments in that line as a coach.
Rod Brind’Amour
Maurice, whose first job as a head coach was with the Hartford Whalers in 1995, mentioned that the staff didn’t always participate in the handshake line and that his intention is to refocus the attention on the players.In the future, I think I’ll probably participate again, simply because it’s a sign of respect. That’s how I see it. We’re not on the ice fighting, but we’re there with these guys. He won, so I thought, ‘OK, I’ll follow your lead on that.’ But I think it’s important, for me anyway, to show respect to the players.
Rod Brind’Amour
When I entered the league, we were never going to greet the players. Some coaches wanted to be on camera. That’s the only thing I can imagine.
Paul Maurice
The reigning champions, the Maurice Panthers, face the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive season. Game 1 will be played on Wednesday night.
