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Greetings from the Windy City, where fans of the Chicago Blackhawks will have an opportunity to welcome back longtime captain Jonathan Toews.
The Winnipegger will literally and figuratively be the centre of attention as his hometown Jets face the Blackhawks in what will be Toews’ first game at the United Center as an opponent, rather than a franchise pillar.
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The last time Toews suited up for a game in Chicago, back in April 2023, he was treated to a hero’s welcome. Fans saluted him for his countless contributions to resurrecting the proud Original Six franchise.
On Monday morning, Toews held a press conference and expressed his gratitude for his 15 seasons playing for the Blackhawks.
“You guys probably remember my last game here in Chicago, and that was totally unexpected and kind of blindsided me, and I’m sure I’ll get the same feeling tonight,” Toews said during a press conference.
“It’s always fun to feel the energy when you come back to Chicago, so it’s nice to be back.”
Toews prefers to deflect the attention to others, though he knows he’s in for an emotional return.
There will be cheers and maybe even a few tears when the crowd salutes Toews with what figures to be numerous ovations.
Jonathan Toews hoists the Stanley Cup for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015 after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blackhawks defeated the Lightning 2-0 to win that series 4-2. (Nam Y. Huh / The Associated Press files)
It was brought to Toews’ attention that Patrick Kane scored the overtime winner as a member of the Detroit Red Wings in his first game back at the United Center.
“Yeah, he tends to do that,” said Toews. “I stopped comparing myself to him a long time ago. But yeah, like I said, it’ll be cool. Appreciate those moments, but, at the same time, I want to go out there and play well, so I’ve got to just try and – not block it out – but focus on your game and just focus on those details.”
By his own admission, this was a moment Toews wasn’t sure was ever going to happen.
For the longest time, he figured the Blackhawks jersey would be the only NHL team he would ever play for.
But when he was told that chapter of his career came to a close, his road to recovery led him to the Jets.
While the team isn’t sitting where most observers thought they would be, Toews has been showing plenty of improvement in his game, so this special night has arrived at a good time.
“Whatever I’ve seen and come back to is nothing of this magnitude, so it’s hard to even relate,” said Jets defenceman Luke Schenn, who won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
“What he did for the community of Chicago and this organization, being a captain at such a young age and winning three championships. Before he and (Patrick Kane) got to this organization, they were in a much different spot. He’s one of the all-time great legends of the Chicago Blackhawks. I remember coming in here during his early days, with just how dominant (the Blackhawks) were, from top to bottom, and it all started with Toews up the middle. Great leadership. He deserves this night. Even us, as teammates, we’re happy to be part of it.”
Having the chance to connect with some of his friends and teammates from the Blackhawks glory years – including Kris Versteeg, Troy Brouwer, Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell — should have Toews in a great frame of mind going into a game he’s had circled on his calendar since the Jets’ schedule came out.
“I don’t know, it’s a weird situation. You don’t get games like this all the time, obviously,” Toews said.
“You want to go out there and play well, and you want to win the game, so you’ve got to keep some level of focus and not get too distracted with all the things going on around you.
“Had a nice dinner with my family and some people in town that are here to watch the game, and got to see some of the good old boys that were still hanging around from this weekend. So it was a fun night last night, and I think tonight I’ll definitely be excited, a lot of energy to play the game, and just try and go out there and play my best.”
Jonathan Toews (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press files)
The Blackhawks also recognize the magnitude of the moment.
“It will be amazing,” said Blackhawks defenceman Connor Murphy, who was a teammate of Toews’ for five seasons.
“The impact he’s made in the community is very obvious. You see the interactions people have with him in public. It shows what he’s brought through sports to the fans of Chicago. I’m sure they’ll pay that back to him. I’m sure it will be emotional. I consider myself lucky to be able to see it and to play against him.”
The Jets, who are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs but have collected nine of a possible 10 points by going 4-0-1, will roll with the same lineup, while Connor Hellebuyck is set to make a fifth consecutive start for the Jets.
The Blackhawks counter with Spencer Knight in goal, with forward Andre Burakovsky officially a game-time decision.
The Jets trail the Blackhawks by one point in the standings and a win would allow them to move out of the basement in the Central Division.
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