A former National Hockey League player who now coaches in Newfoundland and Labrador says he disagrees with a recent decision by the provinceB次元官网网址檚 amateur hockey governing body to ban team handshakes after games.
Hockey NL said in a note posted Thursday to its website that it was ending post-game handshakes.
B次元官网网址淲e have had some issues with handshakes following games that have led to suspensions for players and coaches,B次元官网网址� Gonzo Bennett, chair of Hockey NLB次元官网网址檚 minor council executive committee, wrote in the memo.
But Darren Langdon, coach of the Deer Lake Red Wings, a senior menB次元官网网址檚 team, said the post-game handshake is a key builder of sportsmanship, especially for younger players.
B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e young, you should learn how to respect the other teammates,B次元官网网址� Langdon said in an interview Thursday. B次元官网网址淵ou can compete and play hard against someone, but at the end of the day, itB次元官网网址檚 a game to have fun, and you shake their hand and go on about your business.B次元官网网址�
Langdon played in the NHL from 1994 to 2006, for the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils.
The post on Hockey NLB次元官网网址檚 website said that instead of handshakes, officials will direct both teams to their dressing rooms at the conclusion of each game. Before matches begin, the visiting team will skate by the home teamB次元官网网址檚 bench and offer a glove tap or handshake to wish their opponents a good game.
The change will be in effect for all games after the Christmas break, BennettB次元官网网址檚 note said.
The mid-season memo is addressed to all minor hockey associations and leagues and dated Wednesday. An official with Hockey NL was not immediately available to answer questions.
The move comes as coach, parent and player conduct in amateur hockey is under increasing scrutiny. Last month, RCMP in Nova Scotia charged a coach for allegedly assaulting a referee during a game involving nine- and 10-year-olds. And amateur hockey associations across Canada have elected to put green armbands on teenage referees so parents and coaches think twice before hurling abuse at them.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a backdrop that may have influenced Hockey NLB次元官网网址檚 decision, Langdon said, adding that heB次元官网网址檚 witnessed a few arguments in the handshake lineup B次元官网网址� even some coaches or players refusing to shake the hand of someone on the other team.
B次元官网网址淚 know where theyB次元官网网址檙e coming from, too,B次元官网网址� Langdon said about Hockey NL. If coaches B次元官网网址済et into it,B次元官网网址� he said, the kids will see it.
But banning handshakes outright is too drastic, and it removes an essential moment in the game during which players are able to leave their differences on the ice, he said.
B次元官网网址淲hen I used to play in the NHL, IB次元官网网址檇 fight with someone and after the game we might go for a beer together,B次元官网网址� Langdon said. B次元官网网址淚nstead of that, in minor hockey, youB次元官网网址檙e shaking hands and saying, B次元官网网址榞ood game.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
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