Over a year ago, T.J. Oshie came across a story about a young boy who suffered a neck injury from a skate blade during a youth hockey game. In response, Oshie reached out to his partners at Warroad, the hockey apparel company he helped establish six years ago. Initially focused on creating comfortable undershirts, Warroad had evolved into a safety-conscious business committed to developing cut-resistant fabrics for player protection.
Oshie had an idea to create turtlenecks specifically designed to safeguard the vulnerable neck area, including the carotid artery. Warroad successfully designed a sleek turtleneck with built-in cut-resistant panels known as the “tilo” design.
However, despite the effectiveness of the product, Oshie noticed that not a single NHL player wore any form of neck guards. The bulky neck guards were mandatory in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League but not in the Western Hockey League. There were also Kevlar-style fabric turtlenecks available from companies like Warroad, AYCANE, and Cut-Tex Pro.
NHL players had various reasons for not wearing neck guards. Oshie mentioned that NHL rinks were hotter than ever, causing players to sweat through multiple undershirts per game. Wearing a turtleneck in such a warm environment seemed unappealing. Players were also superstitious, often sticking to the same equipment they used during their junior years. Additionally, neck guards were not considered fashionable. Only a few players like Wayne Gretzky and Tomas Plekanec were able to pull off the look.
However, everything changed when Oshie learned about the tragic death of Adam Johnson, a former player for the Pittsburgh Penguins who was fatally injured by a skate blade during a game in England. This incident opened the eyes of the hockey community to the life-threatening risks associated with the sport.
Deeply affected by Johnson’s death, Oshie took action and ordered five Tilo turtlenecks for himself and some of his teammates to try. Despite concerns about aesthetics and comfort, Oshie recognized the importance of protecting oneself on the ice, especially when it came to the vulnerable neck area.
Another player, Jason Dickinson, had a similar experience when his skate accidentally caught Jakub Lauko in the face during a game. Lauko narrowly escaped a serious eye injury.
These incidents raise the question of whether skate-cut injuries are truly “freak” accidents considering the nature of the game. Hockey involves high speeds, intense force, and dangerous ice skate blades. It’s surprising that skate cuts don’t occur more frequently.
Hayley Wickenheiser, an emergency physician and assistant general manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs, disagreed with the idea that these injuries were freak occurrences. She believed they happen quite often, but the injuries are often superficial or players are lucky. Wickenheiser advocated for the integration of neck protection as a standard part of hockey equipment.
Although incidents like Johnson’s and Lauko’s are rare, many players have stories of close calls and near misses. Dickinson, for example, received a skate on his collarbone, causing a moment of panic as he wondered if a major artery had been nicked.
While there is no foolproof way to prevent injuries in a fast-paced game like hockey, measures can be taken to protect players. Oshie’s company, Warroad, plays a crucial role in providing resources and equipment for players. Richardson, a coach and former NHL player, hoped that neck protection would eventually become commonplace in the NHL, just as helmets and visors did over time.
As the hockey community mourns the loss of Adam Johnson and reflects on the inherent risks of the game, there is a growing awareness and conversation about the need for better player protection, particularly in vulnerable areas like the neck.
