Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1273865
t's been one of hockey's most cherished traditions for as long as anyone can remember. The traditional handshake line is as much a part of the game as raising a stick to celebrate a goal or tossing a hat on the ice to honor a player's third goal of the game. Yet, as players slowly return to rinks across the country, USA Hockey is grappling with how gestures of sportsmanship can be dis- played in a post-pandemic world. Public hea lth ex per ts have wa rned that gestures such as shaking hands could soon go the way of the wooden stick as they look to limit the spread of viruses and germs from one person to the next. USA Hockey 's executive board is consid- ering a recommendation from the organi- zation's medical representatives to put the postgame handshake line on ice, at least for the foreseeable future, for all sanctioned games. The change would not come in the form of a mandate but rather a recommen- dation to all member clubs and associations. In its place as a show of sportsmanship, USA Hockey suggests that at the conclu- sion of the game, both teams line up at their respective blue lines and salute their oppo- nents and officials with a stick tap prior to leaving the ice. With no mention of the postgame hand- shake in the USA Hockey rulebook, t h e r e i s n o n e e d to mandate a rule change. According to Matt Leaf, the d i r e c t o r o f t h e officiating educa- t i o n p r o g r a m , i t would simply be a n e w s t a n d a r d of sportsmanship c o n d u c t e d w i t h an eye on safety. "This is more of a culture change than something that requires a rule change," Leaf said. "It's just a smart thing to do, at least for the time being." In addition, Leaf said officials should not shake hands or bump fists with players and coaches after a game, but rather exchange a quick wave and word of thanks before leaving the ice. The International Ice Hockey Federation, which has long championed the practice of teams lining up on their respective blue- lines to salute each other after games, h a s a l s o r e c o m - mended the use of fist or elbow bumps i n s t e a d o f h a n d - shakes as part of its general roadmap for those returning to the rink. S e v e r a l U S A H o c k e y a f f i l i a t e s, including Minnesota Hockey, had added l a n g u a g e t o t h e i r return to play guide- lines that encourag- es stick salutes rath- er than pre- or post- game handshakes as a way of demonstrating good sportsmanship. P AUGUST 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 27 PHOTOS BY Images On Ice; USA Hockey Magazine Archives SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL Safety Concerns Put Traditional Handshake Line On Ice I Handshakes in hockey are part of a long and storied tradition.