Dropping the gloves: Hockey N.L. to eliminate post-game handshakes

Hockey Newfoundland and Labradorannounced in a memo to community associations Wednesdaythat it will eliminate post-game handshakes beginning in the new year, citing incidents that have led to the suspension of players and coaches.

The memo doesn't get intospecifics, but Hockey N.L.'sminor council executive committee chair Gonzo Bennettsaid the post-game handshake will be replaced with a pre-game handshake. Teams will be directed to their dressing rooms by referees after a game is over.

CBC News has asked Hockey N.L. executive director Craig Tulk for comment.

Stephanie Jones, a Torbay mother whose seven-year-old daughter plays for the Northeast Eagles, said she and other parents are upset by the decision.

She saidthe handshake line serves as an opportunity to teach sportsmanship and other lifelessons that extend beyond hockey.

"The big issue with removing the post-game handshake is that [we're] teaching the kids about respect," Jones said Thursday.

"Removing the post-game handshake, it's not going to deter the bad behaviour from the players that are showing and exhibiting the bad behaviour. It's just going to remove it from that post-game handshake lineup, and move it to the locker room or outside of the rink."

Jones, who said she hasn't seen any such incidents herself, saidthere are better avenues to take to deal with themlike suspensions for instigators and removing players from teams if the behaviour continued.

She says players are losing outbecause of the actions of a select few individualsand the ruling doesn't send a good message.

"It just seems like we're broadly painting the entire Hockey Newfoundland community with one brush, thatwe're unable to hold this respectful post-[game] handshake lineup, even though it is a very small portion of the players and coaches that are causing issues," she said.

The new pre-game handshake will startfollowing the Christmas break, according to the Hockey N.L. memo.

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