Washington, D.C. – Veteran forward T.J. Oshie, a key figure in the Washington Capitals` 2018 Stanley Cup victory and unforgettable for his performance in the 2014 Sochi Olympics shootout against Russia, declared his retirement on Monday, concluding a distinguished 16-season career in the National Hockey League.
The announcement took place at the Washington Harbour fountains in Georgetown, before a crowd of several hundred supporters. This location held special significance, being exactly seven years after Oshie and several teammates famously celebrated their Cup win by jumping into these same fountains.
Present at the announcement to support Oshie were Capitals` President of Hockey Operations Brian MacLellan, General Manager Chris Patrick, Coach Spencer Carbery, and longtime teammates Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson.
Oshie commented on the choice of location, saying, “My only contribution was that this could be a good day and place to have (the ceremony).” He added his gratitude towards the Capitals organization: “I can’t thank the Caps enough. Another first-class move by them to have my retirement here, invite all the people out. It really made this day special.”
Oshie`s retirement was widely anticipated, particularly after his contract ended. The 38-year-old did not participate in the most recent season, spending time on the long-term injured reserve list due to persistent back issues that kept him out of the lineup periodically.
In the spring of 2024, Oshie had indicated he would only rejoin the Capitals if a permanent solution for his back injury could be found. His final appearance on the ice occurred on April 28 of the previous year, in a home game against the New York Rangers, which the Capitals lost 4-2, resulting in their elimination in a first-round sweep.
Reflecting on his last game, Oshie stated, “I was fully prepared that could be my last game: I got the pictures taken of me taking off the skates to prove it.” He continued, describing the emotions of the announcement: “I hadn’t thought too much about (the end), honestly, besides that moment. Even before that moment, knowing how tough it was on really the whole team with me, what I was going through, actually saying the words out loud at the podium with my family in front of me and the Caps organization, my teammates, all my close friends, it was emotional.”
Drafted 24th overall by St. Louis in 2005, Oshie accumulated 1,116 games played in both the regular season and playoffs during his NHL career with the Blues and Capitals, starting in 2008. He recorded a total of 336 goals and 428 assists, totaling 764 points, contributing 21 points during the Capitals` successful Cup campaign.
Internationally, Oshie gained fame during the Sochi Olympics, earning the moniker “T.J. Sochi” after converting four out of six shootout attempts against goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in a memorable preliminary round game between the U.S. and Russia.
Oshie expressed his motivation, saying, “I like to think that when I was playing, that I was playing for my teammates, for my coaches, for my family, for my fans. I rarely thought about my own accolades.” He added that being remembered as a “warrior” is a significant honor because “that was my goal and the way I played the game.”
His most significant impact in the NHL came following his 2015 trade from the Blues to Washington. Oshie quickly became a vital part of the team`s core alongside Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and John Carlson, assuming a leadership role and helping the Capitals reach the playoffs in eight out of his nine seasons with the club.
Giving credit to his fellow players, Oshie stated, “I’ll be the first to give credit to my teammates, because without them, I was nowhere near good enough to do it without a group like that.”
With 76 power-play goals for the Capitals, Oshie ranks fifth in franchise history. He also scored 49 times in the shootout, placing him tied for third all-time since the format was introduced in 2005.
Duncan Priestley