WASHINGTON – T.J. Oshie, a standout in U.S. hockey with a storied career, announced his retirement after 16 seasons in the NHL, a league he has graced since 2008. Known for his exceptional performance during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he famously scored four shootout goals against Russia, Oshie’s retirement comes as no surprise given the expiration of his contract and a back injury that has plagued him throughout the past season.
The 38-year-old made his emotional announcement at Washington Harbour in Georgetown, seven years after the memorable Stanley Cup celebration where teammates, including himself, took an impromptu dive into the fountains. The event was graced by the attendance of hockey operations President Brian MacLellan, General Manager Chris Patrick, Coach Spencer Carbery, and longtime teammates Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson, all there to honor Oshie.
Reflecting on his career, Oshie expressed immense gratitude towards the Washington Capitals for organizing a memorable retirement ceremony. “My only contribution was that this could be a good day and place to have (the ceremony),” Oshie mentioned, praising the Capitals for their first-class gesture and acknowledging their role in making the day special.
Oshie’s journey in the NHL began with the St. Louis Blues, who drafted him 24th overall in 2005. His career statistics boast 336 goals and 428 assists across 1,116 regular-season and playoff games, contributing significantly to the Capitals’ roster after being traded from the Blues in 2015.
His international fame was cemented during the Sochi Olympics, earning him the moniker “T.J. Sochi” after his clutch performance in the shootout against Sergei Bobrovsky. U.S. Olympic coach Dan Bylsma planned for Oshie’s shootout prowess, stating, “T.J. had been on fire that season in the shootout.” His strategic choices validated as Oshie repeatedly faced off against Bobrovsky.
During his time in Washington, Oshie became a cornerstone of the team alongside Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Carlson. His leadership and skill ensured the Capitals reached the playoffs eight out of his nine seasons with them. Oshie modestly credited his teammates for his successes, stating, “I’ll be the first to give credit to my teammates, because without them, I was nowhere near good enough.”
Remarkably, Oshie ranks fifth in Capitals’ franchise history with 76 power-play goals and stands third for shootout goals since its inception in 2005. Concluding his statement, Oshie humbly mentioned, “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. To be remembered (as a ‘warrior’ type of player) is a huge honor.”