Tom Wilson Trying Out Neck Guard Following Adam Johnson's Death

The Capitals forward was the first from his team to try out neck protection following Adam johnson's death from a skate blade cut.

Tom Wilson is the first Washington Capitals star to opt for a neck guard, as he was trying one out at Thursday's optional morning skate following the on-ice death of former NHLer and Elite Hockey League forward Adam Johnson.

Johnson died on Saturday after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.

Wilson was wearing a TILO neck and wrist base layer top from T.J. Oshie's brand, Warroad. Monumental Sports Network's Tarik El-Bashir posted a video of Wilson wearing the guard.

Warroad's new tops feature a built-in, cut-resistant neck guard and cut-resistant sleeves. The shirts, which were released in late September, sold out for the general public rapidly after Johnson's death.

Washington is the latest NHL team to see a player try out neck protection following the tragedy, joining the Pittsburgh Penguins, who mandated neck guards for their AHL and ECHL affiliates. Johnson spent years in the Penguins organization, picking up a goal and three assists at the NHL level.

The Capitals face off against the New York Islanders on Thursday. It is unclear if the plan is for Wilson to use a neck guard during the game, or if any of his teammates will join him in wearing the extra protection.

At this time, neck guards are not mandatory in the NHL, though they were made mandatory in the Western Hockey League on Wednesday while several organizations have also been encouraging their players to start wearing a neck guard.