It looks like Matthew Knies will be adding to the cut-resistant equipment he currently wears during hockey games. The Toronto Maple Leafs forward was wearing a hockey baselayer shirt from Warroad, which showed off an attached neck guard in an Instagram video shared by the company last week.
“It’s nice, I haven’t tried the neck guard one, this is the first time,” Knies said as he skated around in the shirt. “(I) don’t really feel it much, which is a good thing. It feels comfortable all around, and it's loose in the body, so it’s easy to wear”.
Warroad was co-developed by recently retired NHLer T.J. Oshie. Knies also explained why he appears to be making the change this year. “It’s nice to know that I’m wearing something that can prevent all that and keep me safe on the ice,” Knies said. “I owe it to my parents and my friends around me to be as safe as possible out there”.
There’s been more awareness around the need for neck protection in hockey since Adam Johnson was killed in a game in England after his neck was lacerated by Matt Petgrave in an on-ice collision. Following the incident, Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit began wearing a neck guard. Last season, former Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg began wearing a neck guard after then-teammate Ryan Reaves’ skate hit him in the chest.
The growing emphasis on safety has even influenced official policy. This summer, the NHL and NHLPA announced a new four-year extension to their collective bargaining agreement. Beginning in the 2026–27 season, all new players in the NHL will be required to wear one. Players who were in the NHL before that season are not required to wear one.
Knies, who is entering his fourth season with the Maple Leafs, signed a new six-year contract extension worth an average of $7.75 million per season after scoring 29 goals and adding 29 assists during the 2024-25 NHL season.
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