"I'm not wearing a neck guard just to be a leader or just to say that I did it and I was the first. There's a deeper meaning to it for me," the Capitals star said.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — For Warroad founder and Washington Capitals winger T.J. Oshie, opting for a neck guard and wearing his company's newest base layer featuring the built-in neck protection isn't a marketing opportunity or his attempt to lead by example. It's a choice that he holds close to his heart.
Oshie was one of the first NHLers to wear a neck guard in game this season following the death of Adam Johnson, who died after being cut in the neck by a skate blade in an Elite Hockey League game on Saturday.
While he hopes the move inspires younger players to take after him, he stressed that the decision was one he made for himself.
"I'm not wearing a neck guard just to be a leader or just to say that I did it and I was the first," he told The Hockey News. "There's a deeper meaning to it for me. Even if it helps one kid protect themselves, I think it's worth it."
Oshie started working with Warroad to develop the shirt with the built-in neck guard in January 2022, when Connecticut youth player Teddy Balkind died after being cut in the neck by a skate blade during a game. It was a moment that shook No. 77, a father of four who added that his kids factored into his decision to opt for neck protection.
"The second I heard [about Teddy], we started making these things and testing them and sending them all over the world to be tested. So we put a lot of time and effort into this," Oshie said. "It's sad that it took the tragedy of Adam to really have it sink into everyone's minds, but I'm glad that people are catching on."
The TILO neck and wrist base layer shirts sold out for the general public shortly after Johnson's death.
As for Oshie's shirt, it was a bit of a wild scramble to get it ready for No. 77 to wear in a game.
Oshie originally helped found Warroad after he had trouble finding undergear to fit his needs. The 36-year-old has sensitive skin and is prone to rashes, his elbow pads slide down during play and he wanted skate-cut protection after seeing tragedies unfold on the ice for several players.
Warroad's shirts that Ohsie helped create feature "Padloc" technology that allows the sleeves to fold and hold the elbow pads in place. Oshie has been wearing these shirts since the company's launch, but the new TILO neck and wrist base layer does not have the Padloc feature.
So, equipment assistant Dave Marin got out the sewing machine and was able to sew on the Padloc sleeves onto the new shirt for Oshie. The shirt was done just in time for puck drop.
"Grown-ups can make their own decisions, but I think we got to keep the youth protected," Oshie said of the neck guards.
Teammates Tom Wilson, Darcy Kuemper and Connor McMichael have followed suit and were wearing Warroad's neck guard shirts in practice.