Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind`Amour stated on Tuesday that he intends to participate in the traditional post-series handshake line in the future. His decision comes after he stepped aside at the request of Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice following Carolina`s season-ending loss in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final last week. Brind`Amour mentioned that while Maurice`s request was unexpected, he respected the reasoning behind it, even though he didn`t completely agree.
“It`s about the players, naturally,” Brind`Amour commented. “They are the ones competing on the ice; we`re just on the sidelines. It`s not like we`re not invested; we put a huge amount into this. So I understand his perspective that it`s player-centric. Reflecting on it now, my view is that we talk about losing gracefully, and I`ve experienced quite significant memories and interactions in that handshake line as a coach.”
Brind`Amour emphasized that the handshake line remains personally significant for him, citing Carolina`s first-round victory over New Jersey, which featured several former Hurricanes players on the Devils` team.
“Looking ahead, I`ll likely return to participating, simply because I see it as a gesture of respect,” Brind`Amour stated. “That`s my perspective. Although we aren`t battling on the ice ourselves, we are deeply involved with these players. So, that`s how I see it. Everyone is entitled to their own view. He won, so I thought, `Okay, I`ll follow your lead this time.` But personally, I feel it`s crucial to demonstrate respect to the players.”
Maurice clarified his position following the win that clinched the series and sent the defending Eastern Conference champion Panthers back to the Stanley Cup Final. He stated his desire for that moment to belong exclusively to the players. A brief discussion on the ice near the team benches drew attention, as the coaches appeared to have a lively yet respectful exchange regarding the handshake line decision.
“For me, there`s something visually significant about having the camera focus purely on the players – the individuals who played, blocked shots, and supported one another. It represents the conclusion of one team`s season and the triumph for the other,” Maurice explained. “A Carolina Hurricanes player, having just finished their season, certainly doesn`t need to encounter fifty more people in suits they don`t know – and I don`t mean that negatively. There`s a certain beauty in the camera simply capturing the players who competed, shaking hands. And we ought to honor that.”
Florida is scheduled to face the Edmonton Oilers in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 1 set for Wednesday.
