Clutch at Every Level

TJ Oshie earned a reputation as one of hockey’s great clutch performers.

Most memorably, at the 2014 Winter Olympics, when he scored the winning goal to lift the U.S. over Russia. But his ability to deliver in big moments started much earlier.

As a freshman at UND in 2005-06, Oshie set a school record with nine game-winning goals — the most in the NCAA that season. He led the team in scoring, earned spots on both the WCHA All-Rookie Team and the WCHA Final Five All-Tournament Team. The following year, he led all players in the NCAA Tournament with eight postseason points and received UND’s Cliff “Fido” Purpur Award, given to the player whose hard work and determination generate excitement on the ice.

“It’s the tradition,” Oshie said when asked why North Dakota is the best place to play college hockey. “The facilities we have there for North Dakota Hockey are better than any I’ve seen — NHL or college, and our alumni are second to none.”

Defining Moment

Oshie joined the St. Louis Blues in 2008. Over the next seven years, he recorded 310 points in 443 games, scoring 50 or more points in three seasons.

During that time, Oshie played for Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics. In a preliminary-round game against Russia, the teams were tied after regulation. Following the initial shootout rounds, Oshie was tapped for the next five attempts — converting on four, including the game-winner.

Stanley Cup Glory

Traded to the Washington Capitals in 2015, Oshie became a key piece of the team’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship. That postseason, he scored twice in game-winning efforts and was among the team’s top point producers. He went on to post back-to-back 25-plus-goal seasons and, in 2020, earned his first NHL All-Star Game selection.

In 2024, Oshie became the 62nd American-born player to skate in 1,000 NHL games. Plagued by a back injury, he retired in 2025 with 694 career points.

Throughout his hockey career, Oshie’s greatest lesson: Take care of your teammates. “That’s so important — not just being their buddy, but sticking up for them if something goes wrong,” he said. “It’s setting an example by working hard, and having them work as hard. With it, comes learning about them, knowing their family, and just caring for them.”

Beyond the Rink

In 2018, Oshie channeled his on-ice drive into founding Warroad, a hockey company producing high-performance gear informed by his firsthand knowledge of what NHL and other elite players need to compete.

After retiring, Oshie and his wife, Lauren, and their four children returned to the Midwest. They now live in Edina, Minnesota — a short drive from Warroad, where he was a high school hockey standout.