TORONTO — The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador’s hockey governing body has banned handshakes after minor league games following a series of altercations.
The National Hockey League announced the move last week. Gonzo Bennett, chairman of the National Hockey League’s Minor Council Executive Committee, wrote in a memo after the game that there were “issues” with the organization that led to the suspension of both players and coaches.
Instead of shaking hands after the game, officials will ask the team to come off the ice, according to the Canadian Press. Instead, the visiting team will skate by the home team’s bench and do glove taps and shake hands before the game.
News of the move came as a surprise to players and staff at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Sweden this week.
“It’s disappointing,” said Canadian head coach Alain Letang, who played 19 professional seasons in both Europe and North America. “There’s respect and camaraderie in sports. You can go out there and compete really hard with somebody, but when the game’s over you’re like, ‘Great game, great job.'” “Respect goes both ways. If you were coaching a team and something like that happened, you wouldn’t be able to stand it.”
World Junior teams, which feature players 19 and under, shake hands after games, a common feature at youth games all the way up to the National Hockey League.
Canada sparked a handshake altercation during the 2020 junior tournament after captain Barrett Hayton failed to remove his helmet during a 6-0 loss during the Russian national anthem. Hayton later apologized, adding that she was “lost in the moment” but didn’t mean to be disrespectful.
Sweden coach Magnus Havelid was also surprised by the move to Newfoundland and Labrador.
“It’s hard to hear… it’s sad,” Ms Haverid said. “It’s important for coaches of young players to say, ‘What happens when you play those 60 minutes, that’s another thing. But after that, it’s over.’
The move by the National Hockey League comes amid increased scrutiny of the conduct of coaches, parents and players in amateur hockey. Nova Scotia authorities last month charged a coach with assaulting a referee during a game involving a 9-year-old player. Amateur hockey associations across Canada have decided to put green armbands on teen referees in the hope that parents and coaches will think twice before using abusive language.
Canada captain Fraser Minten said postgame handshakes are a “cool and classy” part of hockey. Teammate Owen Allard said he remembers having a disagreement in the hockey handshake line in the minors.
“As coaches, we want to be intense. As coaches, the important thing is to win,” Letang told CP. “But it’s also about growing kids and teaching them little life lessons. You can compete hard, but at the end of the day, respect your opponent and be humble.”
Letang lamented the fact that the National Hockey League felt the need to take such drastic steps.
“Something has changed or something has changed,” he added. “We have to find a way to get it back.”
