Panthers, Hurricanes Coaches Skip Handshake Tradition

Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice and Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour chose not to participate in the traditional coach-player handshake line following the Panthers' victory in the Eastern Conference final, insisting the tradition should remain exclusive to players. Maurice explained that the handshake line is a special moment for those who competed and that including coaches dilutes its significance. Coaching staffs instead exchanged handshakes near the benches while players conducted the handshake line at center ice. Maurice has advocated throughout the postseason that coach participation is a recent addition to the tradition that detracts from the players' moment. Brind'Amour supported this approach, sharing the goal of preserving the tradition's purity. With this win, the Panthers advance to the Stanley Cup Final and await the winner of the Oilers-Stars series.