Toews expects fun, hype in California sun

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This article was published 26/01/2017 (3151 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CHICAGO — Jonathan Toews is eagerly anticipating a chance to muster with the rest of the NHL’s top players this weekend in Los Angeles.

The Winnipeg-born centre is one of four Chicago Blackhawks selected to participate in the all-star game, joining right-winger Patrick Kane, defenceman Duncan Keith and goaltender Corey Crawford.

It will be the Chicago captain’s sixth appearance at the annual event. A year ago, he pulled out just days before the star-studded contest in Nashville — citing illness — and was suspended for one game by the NHL.

Toews said Thursday he’s excited about this weekend’s celebration in California.

“It’s always fun to mix with the players… (plus) this weekend in L.A., I think there’s gonna be a lot of hype, a lot of excitement around it, especially with the top 100 players that will be named (as part of the league’s centennial season) and some of the celebrity hockey fans that will partake in some of the events, so it’ll be a lot of fun,” he said prior to the Hawks’ game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Toews, 28, Chicago’s first-round (third-overall) pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, is in his 10th season and has already captured three Stanley Cups and a pair of Olympic gold medals. (Odds are he’ll be named one of the NHL’s all-time top 100 players at this weekend’s festivities.)

He said the three-day break other players will enjoy would be a treat, but he’s focused on helping the rest of the game’s greats put on a good show.

“It’s always an honour. Everyone wants to represent their team, they want to be one of those guys,” said Toews, who had only nine goals and 19 assists in 41 games this season but six points in the two games prior to Thursday.

Tough going for Tootoo

Jordin Tootoo wasn’t in the Blackhawks lineup Thursday. And it is likely to become a familiar scenario for the Churchill-born right-winger, just a week away from his 34th birthday.

Tootoo, a former star with the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings was signed to a one-year deal by Chicago during the off-season but has yet to register a point in 35 games.

He’s played in just one of the club’s last six contests as the Blackhawks have been relying on Nick Schmaltz since his recall from the Rockford of the AHL.

Tootoo said a lack of playing time has been difficult to accept, but he’s just trying to stay positive and be a character guy in the dressing room.

“I’m adding that little piece to the puzzle, a guy that brings the right attitude and character every day and being a leader in my own way,” he said.

“For me, I understand my role. I’m here to push and motivate on some days when maybe the top guys aren’t going, and you push the younger guys to have a voice in the dressing room.”

Tootoo has 63 goals and 95 assists in 705 NHL games, split between the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and Chicago.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPJasonBell