THE COMMON PROBLEM ALL HOCKEY PLAYERS FACE

The truth is, old school cut protection is uncomfortable. Take for example, those bulky foam collars that hockey associations have been requiring for years—they often shift during play. They bunch up. They leave gaps. And many players remove the cut-resistant material entirely, turning them into what NHL star T.J. Oshie describes as "a little necklace" that "wasn't protecting anything."

The situation is becoming more urgent:

• USA Hockey now requires neck laceration protectors for all youth, girls, high school, and junior hockey players
• All three Canadian major junior leagues mandate neck protection
• The American Hockey League requires neck protection for all players and officials

Yet standard guards and sleeves continue to frustrate players with their bulk, discomfort, and tendency to shift during play, leaving critical areas exposed precisely when protection is needed most.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND SUPERIOR PROTECTION

When T.J. Oshie and the Warroad team built TILO for NHL players, they were adamant it offered the best protection and performance. So, they went all in and created the best skate cut-resistant product on the market:

• Cutlon® panels for wrist and ankle protection — 15X stronger than steel, providing ANSI A6 protection
• Super-durable Italian nylon neck construction — with two layers of foam for structure and ANSI A7-rated cut-resistant yarns
• Ionic+® antimicrobial technology — 6% pure silver woven into the yarn that naturally kills bacteria on contact and never washes out
• Breathable 4-way stretch poly mesh fabric — prevents overheating while maintaining complete protection

The fabric is so advanced that they have to laser cut each piece because traditional cutting knives won't work on it.

They could make a cheaper shirt, but it wouldn't deliver the uncompromising protection that makes TILO the choice of professionals.

"The neck is adjustable so I can wear it a little loose on the bench but still be protected on the ice. I can't stand anything tight around my neck."

This is why TILO has become the preferred choice of players who have options. In the NHL, where neck protection isn't mandatory, players like Travis Konecny, Tage Thompson, Adam Lowry, Carson Soucy and many others choose to protect themselves with TILO.

Soucy said the key is finding the gear that works for you.

“I tried one that was a little higher, a little bigger, and it just kind of bugged me a little bit. This one's nice and comfy; you barely notice it.”

THE RISK IS REAL

Hockey injuries don't discriminate. They happen at all levels of play, from youth leagues to the NHL.

One year ago, the hockey world was shattered by the death of former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson after an opponent's skate sliced his neck during a game. This tragedy sparked worldwide discussions about player safety and prompted many leagues to implement mandatory neck protection.

But what many don't realize is that near-misses happen constantly. NHL player Jason Dickinson describes:

"Personally, it's never not been on my mind. Ever since I was in junior, I was always super paranoid about my arms being up on the boards and someone jumping over. It was always there in my head that those are blades. Those are sharp. I've been cut by much duller things."

As the game gets faster and the players get bigger, these risks only increase. Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane had his wrist cut open by a skate two years ago. Former Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson had his Achilles tendon lacerated by a skate years before. Nearly every player has a story about a near-miss.

THE DECISION EVERY HOCKEY PARENT MUST MAKE

As a parent, you have a choice:

1. Hope that traditional neck guards and wrist protection will be enough, despite their known limitations
2. Wait until protection becomes mandatory in your league (which may be too late)
3. Give your child the same level of protection that professionals choose for themselves

The TILO base layer represents a significant investment—there's no denying that. But as one parent put it:

"These shirts aren't cheap, but for what they do you should be able to find the money if you sacrifice a little bit here or there and this is important to you. Ice hockey isn't a cheap sport if you don't have ready access to frozen ponds and generation upon generation of hand-me-downs, so justifying the cost of neck protection isn't that tough."

When compared to the potential consequences of inadequate protection, the value becomes clear. As the parent who witnessed his son's traumatic wrist injury, I can tell you that no price tag can be placed on their safety.