WASHINGTON — Veteran forward T.J. Oshie, a key figure in the Washington Capitals` 2018 Stanley Cup victory and memorable for his four-goal shootout performance for the U.S. against Russia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, declared his retirement on Monday, concluding a 16-season NHL career.
Oshie made the announcement before hundreds of supporters at the Washington Harbour fountains in Georgetown. This location was significant, marking seven years since a famous Stanley Cup celebration there where he and teammates celebrated by jumping into the water.
Supporting Oshie as he ended his playing career were key figures from the Capitals organization, including President of Hockey Operations Brian MacLellan, General Manager Chris Patrick, coach Spencer Carbery, and long-standing teammates Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson.
Oshie commented on the location, stating, “My only input was that this might be a suitable day and place for the event.” He added his gratitude towards the Capitals, saying, “I am incredibly thankful to the Caps. Hosting my retirement here and inviting everyone was another top-notch gesture from them. It truly made this day memorable.”
The retirement announcement had been widely anticipated, especially as Oshie`s contract was concluding. The 38-year-old missed the entirety of the most recent season due to a persistent back injury that frequently kept him out of the lineup, leading to him being placed on long-term injured reserve.
In spring 2024, Oshie had indicated that his return to the Capitals depended on finding a lasting remedy for his back problem. His last appearance in a game was at home on April 28 of the previous year, during a 4-2 defeat to the New York Rangers in the first round, which completed a series sweep eliminating Washington.
“I was completely ready for that to be my final game; I even took photos of myself removing my skates as documentation,” Oshie commented. He reflected, “Honestly, I hadn`t dwelling on the conclusion much, apart from that specific moment. Even leading up to it, understanding the difficulty my situation posed for the entire team, the act of vocalizing the retirement at the podium with my family, the Capitals organization, my teammates, and close friends present was deeply emotional.”
Drafted 24th overall by St. Louis in 2005, Oshie`s NHL career began in 2008. He participated in a total of 1,116 regular-season and playoff contests for both the Blues and Capitals. Over his career, he accumulated 336 goals and 428 assists, totaling 764 points, with 21 of those points coming during Washington`s successful Stanley Cup playoff campaign.
Internationally, Oshie gained significant recognition at the Olympics, earning the moniker “T.J. Sochi” after converting four out of six shootout attempts against goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in the U.S. versus Russia preliminary round match at that event.
“I prefer to believe that throughout my playing days, I was competing for my teammates, coaches, family, and fans, seldom focusing on personal achievements,” Oshie stated. He added, “Being remembered as a `warrior` player is a tremendous honor, as that was precisely my intention and the style I aimed to play.”
Within the NHL, his most substantial influence was felt after his trade from the Blues to the Capitals in 2015. Oshie swiftly became a leader and a vital complement to the team`s established core of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and John Carlson. His presence contributed to the team reaching the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons in Washington.
“I`ll be the first to attribute my success to my teammates, because without their support, I simply wasn`t skilled enough to achieve what I did without such a team around me,” Oshie remarked.
In Washington, Oshie`s 76 power-play goals rank fifth in the franchise`s history. He also recorded 49 shootout goals, placing him tied for third overall since the format was introduced in 2005.
