T.J. Oshie on wearing neck guard in game: ‘I made my choice for my kids’
After the death of former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson last weekend, Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie was seen wearing a neck guard from his own company, Warroad Hockey, during a game Thursday against the New York Islanders.
Johnson passed away on Oct. 28 due to injuries suffered from a skate laceration while playing with the EIHL’s Nottingham Panthers. The team trailed the Sheffield Steelers 2-1 at the time of the incident, with the game getting cancelled immediately.
Since Johnson’s passing, various organizations have begun mandating the use of neck protection for players. The Penguins announced Tuesday that they’ll mandate neck protection for players on their AHL and ECHL clubs. The English Ice Hockey Association will make neckguards mandatory starting in 2024 during “all on-ice activities.”
Neck guards are not mandatory in the NHL, but various players have been seen wearing neck protection during practices this week. Erik Karlsson, Ryan Graves, Cole Perfetti, Nikolaj Ehlers and Tom Wilson are among that have tried them out.
“We’re grown men…you can make your own choices,” Oshie told reporters after the game. “I made my choice for my kids. I want to stick around for ‘em. I’m just trying to decrease the chance of injury.”
Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin also started Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers wearing a similar turtleneck-style guard. He removed it mid-game due to body temperature issues.
“NHL guys, I think it’s super important for them to know it’s going to be available,” Oshie said. “Maybe the teams can help provide them with that.”
Oshie said he doesn’t think it’s necessary for the league to mandate the use of neck protection in the middle of the season, but offered up some advice for younger players coming up the ranks.
“Youth players, if they’re able, I hope they can get some neck protection,” Oshie said. “I didn’t even notice it after one shift.”
All youth players in Canada have to wear a neck guard. USA Hockey doesn’t mandate them, but recommends them.