Minnesota company's cut-resistant hockey gear sells out after player Adam Johnson's death

A Warroad, Minn.-based clothing brand and other sports retailers that make or sell cut-resistant gear to protect hockey players from skate blades have experienced a surge in demand following the accidental death of a former Minnesota Duluth star and professional player.

Warroad Hockey Co., which NHL player and Warroad-raised T.J. Oshie helped found, has sold out of its Tilo neck and wrist guards, according to a post on the company's Facebook page. There's a waiting list for those still looking to buy the cut-resistant items.

Former Minnesota Duluth hockey player and Hibbing star Adam Johnson died after an opponent's skate blade cut his neck in a collision Saturday in Sheffield, England, during an Elite Ice Hockey League game. Johnson's team, the Nottingham Panthers, called it a "freak accident." The case is under investigation by the South Yorkshire Police.

Johnson was 29 years old. The Panthers started a GoFundMe page to support the "Love for Hibbing and Hockey Memorial Fund" that will donate to local charitable activities at the Johnson family's discretion.

In response to the tragedy, the English Ice Hockey Association has mandated players wear neck guards for all on-ice activities starting Jan. 1.

Oshie told the Associated Press he received about 100 texts from other players about his cut-resistant clothing and said his company's inventory sold out Sunday.

"It's just crazy, sad, and we don't have anything left," Oshie told reporters after Washington Capitals practice Monday. "We're thinking about his family first. We'll try to get as many products out there as we can for people."

The sold-out tops sell for $199 and feature "an adjustable neck collar built with Kevlar and protective foam" that's "designed to help deflect and absorb the impact of skate blades, sticks or elbows to your neck and clavicle," according to the company website. Warroad Hockey Co. could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Shaun Hastings, chief operating officer for Strauss Skates and Bicycles in Maplewood, said the store sold out of a line of shirts with neck protection sewn in that he helped develop with Source for Sports. Strauss has some gear from other brands but said neck protection has been a point of conversation among customers. Hastings said the store is offering cut-resistant products at a 25% discount.

"They're moving. We're selling a lot of them right now," Hastings said. "Certainly, something I think should be required. I'm disappointed that it's not. But hopefully, some good comes out of this, and the processes are re-evaluated."

Pure Hockey, a nationwide retailer of hockey gear with several stores in Minnesota, has experienced a significant increase in sales of protective, cut-resistant products since the weekend, a spokeswoman said. That included demand for neck guards and base-layer tops that offer built-in neck guards.

At Minnesota Duluth, Johnson helped the Bulldogs reach two NCAA tournaments. At Hibbing, he led the high school to the state tournament. Johnson then went on to play for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018 and 2019.

Star Tribune staff writer Walker Orenstein and the Associated Press contributed to this report.