T.J. Oshie Has Message For Youth & Fellow NHL Players As He Opts To Wear Neck Guard: 'I Want To Stick Around For My Kids'

SAMMI SILBER NOV 2, 2023 The Hockey News

WASHINGTON — Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie took a notable step on Thursday, opting for a neck guard and being one of the first NHLers to wear one in a game this season following Adam Johnson's death on Saturday after taking a skate blade to the neck.

For Oshie, it was an easy decision, and for one big reason: his children.

"I made my choice for my kids. I want to stick around for 'em," he said simply.

Oshie's neck guard is courtesy of his own hockey company, Warroad, which makes protective gear and apparel that features cut-resistant technology. Their most recent release is the TILO neck and wrist layer, which features a built-in neck guard and cut-resistant sleeves. Per an email from Warraod, Oshie's shirt was custom-made to feature the company's "Padloc" technology that keeps his elbow pads in place.

The 36-year-old said that the first game wearing the shirt went fine and that he wasn't distracted by it over the course of the game. He noted that his move is not only beneficial to him, but that he's also aware it can send a positive message to younger players looking to the pros for direction.

"For youth, I'd hope it shows that it's really not a distraction from my game. I thought I played pretty decent tonight. Honestly, it was actually really comfortable," Oshie, who scored a goal that was waved off in the third period, said. "So youth players, if they're able, I hope they can get some type of neck protection. I didn't even notice it after one shift tonight."

After Johnson's death, Oshie received hundreds of texts inquiring about the protective gear. His company released the TILO neck and wrist base layer in late September. It sold out after Saturday's tragedy, and the company is still working to restock for the general public.

Ultimately, Oshie also hoped he could send a message to his fellow NHLers still on the fence.

"NHL guys, I think it's super important that they know it's gonna be available. It's available to them, I think maybe the teams can help provide that and then, we're grown men. If you don't want to do it, you don't," Oshie said simply. "At least now, middle of season, I don't know if it's necessary to mandate it but you can make your own choices... just trying to decrease my chance of injury."