T.J. Oshie on neck guards: 'I made my choice for my kids'
T.J. Oshie on neck guards: 'I made my choice for my kids'
Oshie wore neck guard in Nov. 2 game vs Islanders
Following the tragic death of former NHL player Adam Johnson, multiple players have begun experimenting with the use of neck guards on the ice.
Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie is one of those players. He is one of the first to do so since Johnson’s death.
“I just wish these things never had to be made, and injuries like this would never happen, because it’s so sad,” Oshie said to The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus. “It hits me pretty hard, just thinking about my kids. I could take one to the neck tonight. And for them to not have a father…it’s just so sad and it makes me think twice about protecting myself and my neck out there – whether it looks cool or not.”
Oshie owns Warroad Hockey, a company that is “renowned for its uncompromising focus on player performance, safety and recovery.”
Warroad makes the shirt that includes the neck guard Oshie was wearing in Thursday’s game. The shirts are said to have blade-resistant technology (TILO.)
The cut-resistant technology “features built-in panels of cut-resistant Cutlon® material (wrists and ankles), constructed of Dyneema® yarn for a finished surface that’s 15x stronger than steel, but still soft, comfortable, and flexible.”
Oshie wore the Warroad shirt for the entire game Thursday night. He says that it didn’t distract him while playing.
“I’d hope it shows [youth] that it’s not really a distraction from my game,” Oshie told The Washington Post’s Bailey Johnson. “I thought I played pretty decent tonight, honestly. It was actually really comfortable…I didn’t even notice it after one shift tonight.”
Capitals right wing Tom Wilson also tried out Warroad’s neck guard after Oshie had a conversation with him about it.
“He was kind of encouraging me to try it out,” Wilson told Bailey Johnson. “Their company makes pretty good quality stuff, and I honestly didn’t really notice it at all. I’m not sure if I’ll wear it [in a game] yet. I’ve got to get used to it a little bit. A little warmer than normal shirts, but I mean, it’s no big deal if it’s going to protect you.”
Wilson already wears the Warroad shirt and pants that include cut-resistant technology for the wrists and back of the legs.
Currently, the NHL does not have any rules regarding neck guards. The league has started to recommend them, but is not mandating them.
NHL Deputy Commissoner Bill Daly says that the NHL is working with NHLPA to discuss the use of neck protection.
“The commissioner as recently as over the weekend was in touch with (NHLPA Director) Marty Walsh to kind of put this squarely on the radar screen,” Daly said in an interview on NHL Network Radio. “We have been pushing, really pushing hard, cut-resistant materials and guards for use by out players. It is an adjustment for them, but we are strongly recommending cut-resistant materials for use currently by our players.”
There have been questions surrounding if the league would grandfather in neck guard rules like they did visors and helmets, but Daly says it’s too early to tell.
“I think it might be premature to say that’s gonna happen but certainly it’s something we’re going to discuss, for sure,” Daly said.
As of right now, it is up to the individual player to decide if they want to wear neck protection or not.
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