T.J. Oshie, a player for the Washington Capitals, wore a neck guard during a game against the New York Islanders. This comes after Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres wore a turtleneck-style neck protection in a previous game. The demand for cut-resistant gear is increasing across the league. Oshie explained that he chose to wear the neck guard because he is a father and wants to protect himself for his children. He also emphasized that it does not distract from his game and found it comfortable to wear.
T.J. Oshie descends from one of the chiefs of Warroad, and in 2002, he learned about his Ojibwe heritage and experienced a pow-wow. In his 16th NHL season, he's holding his Native American roots close, learning the language and sharing it with his kids: https://t.co/mYpwdXsYL6
For T.J. Oshie, wearing a neck guard isn't a marketing opportunity or obligation. It's a choice close to his heart with "deeper meaning." Our 1-on-1 about what inspired the shirts, his choice and the wild story behind getting his ready for an NHL game: https://t.co/ya2x6u79Ri
"I'm not wearing a neck guard just to say that I did it and I was the first. There's a deeper meaning to it for me." T.J. Oshie tells the story behind Warroad's neck guard shirts and discusses the wild scramble it took to get his ready for an NHL game. https://t.co/ya2x6u79Ri
#ICYMI: T.J. Oshie wore a neck guard in Thursdayβs game for the Capitals. The Warroad founder shares what went into that decision and has a message to youth players and NHLers on the fence. βI made the choice for my kids. I wanna stick around for βem.β https://t.co/lIcpPejQCT
Oshie said he didn't notice the neck guard after his first shift. "For youth, I'd hope it shows them that it's really not a distraction from my game. I thought I played pretty decent tonight, honestly it was actually really comfortable."
"I made my choice for my kids. I want to stick around for 'em." T.J. Oshie explains his decision to wear a neck guard and shares his experience wearing one in a game, and he also has a message to youth players and his fellow NHLers. @WarroadHockeyCo https://t.co/lIcpPejQCT
Oshie on being one of the first NHLers to wear a neck guard: βWeβre grown menβ¦you can make your own choices. I made my choice for my kids. I want to stick around for βem. Iβm just trying to decrease the chance of injury.β #Caps
Oshie on his choice to wear a neck guard: βI didnβt even notice it after one shift.β Also added being a dad and having four kids played into that decision: βI want to stick around for βem.β
T.J. Oshie is wearing his @WarroadHockeyCo neck guard during the Caps-Isles game after Rasmus Dahlin sported turtleneck-style neck protection in last night's Sabres-Flyers game. The demand for cut-resistant gear is "snowballing" league-wide, according to industry sources.