Great Photos In Stanley Cup History: The Handshake

The handshake. There is no better playoff tradition than the handshake.

There is no rule that says teams have to shake hands after going to war against each other in best of seven playoff series.

Instead it is the ultimate sign of respect and of tradition. It is the way it always has been. 

No photo captures this form of sportsmanship better than this offering from Roger St. Jean from April 8th, 1952.

During the seventh game of the Stanley Cup semi finals at the Montreal Forum, Maurice Richard suffered a concussion and was knocked out of the game, returning in the third period to score the winning goal. He skated end to end, going through the Bruins players, skated out in front of the net and put the puck behind a startled Sugar Jim Henry.

Henry offers his hand in respect to the bloodied Rocket. Perhaps no photo better captures hockey's unique combination of sportsmanship and physicality.

Maurice Richard Biography - - - Sugar Jim Henry biography