Toews thrilled to be back on the ice after health issue hiatus Jets’ centre enjoying getting back into a regular rhythm in his return to pro hockey By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 2:56 PM CDT Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025 Last Modified: 5:22 PM CDT Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025 Updates

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This article was published 11/09/2025 (390 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jonathan Toews is doing his best to blend into his new surroundings.

While that might seem like a formality for someone as decorated as Toews, getting acclimated with a new organization and all that comes with it is an important part of this remarkable comeback with the Winnipeg Jets.

Although the wheels have been in motion for some time, the Winnipegger admits he’s dealt with some nerves during the introductory phase that comes before training camp officially gets underway next week.

“It’s been a lot of fun slowly getting to know guys,” said Toews, speaking to the media for the first time since July. “That’s something that will take a little while to get settled and comfortable in the locker room. In a way you want to show your respect, especially to the veteran guys in the room that set the tone and the example for this team every day. As I’ve been saying, I’ll just slowly find my way, contribute where I can, and find ways of doing that that respect the strengths of this group, too.”

After two full seasons out of the NHL as he dealt with a number of health issues, Toews is feeling good and has enjoyed being on the ice here during the past several weeks — as the group expanded from just a handful of NHLers to the bulk of the Jets squad, with the exception of a small number of guys that will be arriving during the next several days.

“You want to belong, you want to be part of the team,” said Toews. “It’s a new experience for sure, especially after being away from hockey as long as I have been to integrate — so to speak — into a new locker room.

“It’s easy to pick up on why this team has a lot of chemistry in the locker room and on the ice. A lot of guys with a lot of talent, but also a ton of character in this room, too. You can feel that already.”

Because it’s been so long since he’s been in this setting, Toews is both enjoying getting back into a regular rhythm while also taking time to appreciate some of the tasks that may have occasionally felt tedious during his past several NHL seasons as he worked through those aforementioned health issues.

“It’s been a long time and, in a way too, it feels like the last couple years have gone by in the blink of an eye,” said Toews. “It’s almost like sometimes you don’t even remember what skate you put on first. Once you get going, you don’t even think about it and everything is muscle memory. It’s fun to just get back in that routine and in the structure of an NHL camp and NHL season.”

Just being one of the guys again is among the things Toews is enjoying.

“I’ll just slowly find my way, contribute where I can, and find ways of doing that that respect the strengths of this group.”

That’s also something that many of his former teammates who reached out to him providing well-wishes mentioned as something they’ve missed a great deal since retiring from the game.

“Just being around this group,” said Toews. “I guess that’s the one thing that’s super exciting to me about getting a chance to play again is that I get to be back in that locker room.

“Aside from that, I just love playing the game. I love improving and getting better and just feeling good, too. Even though you’re working hard, there’s always someone doing something, finding ways to get better that you can always learn from. So, you’re constantly kind of exposing your own weaknesses and making yourself uncomfortable in that sense and I think just pushing yourself always.”

When it was relayed to him that Jets prospect Brayden Yager mentioned how Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Toews were two players his dad told him to watch closely because of their refined 200-foot games, the former Chicago Blackhawks captain was asked if that was flattering or if it might make him feel a little bit older?

That’s when he showed a glimpse of his sense of humour.

“Definitely both. It is definitely flattering to be mentioned in a sentence like that,” said Toews. “I had gotten pretty used to every young kid growing up and wanting to be like Patrick Kane. You get a little tired of hearing that one.

“So, that feels good to hear, too.”

When you see Toews on the ice, it’s clear how hard he’s been training to put himself in the best position to succeed.

But, how is he feeling about where he’s at physically?

“Pretty good. When you’re away from the game for that long — no matter what — it takes some time to get things up to speed,” said Toews. “It feels good to be on the ice, you do a lot of three-on-three and small area stuff where you don’t have a lot of space. Those are the situations where you kind of get a little bit hasty, a little bit excited, and make a play that you wouldn’t have made if you were slowing things down and being a little bit more patient. That sort of thing will start coming back. I’m sure my game will progress and improve throughout the entire season too.”

Toews, 37, is moving well and is confident with where his skating and conditioning are at, noting that should also improve over the course of the season.

“I’m really happy. Throughout the summer there are going to be those days where you’re training pretty hard off the ice and you go on the ice and nothing is working, you’re just slugging away,” said Toews. “You have to let those days go and remind yourself that it’s not going to be perfect every day, you’re not going to feel 100 per cent. At this point now, all the off-ice stuff boils down and you’re on the ice much more and you’re fine-tuning your game. I feel I have much more speed and much more energy on the ice, too.”

Toews was asked if he’s spent any time wondering what it might be like to return to the United Center on Jan. 19 to face the Blackhawks, the organization he helped win three Stanley Cups after they chose him third overall in the 2006 NHL draft.

“I’m sure I’ll be pretty nervous. There will be a lot of excitement. A lot of great memories,” said Toews. “Just to be there with the fans and the City of Chicago.

“It was a real family for a long time, so that will feel strange. But it will be a lot of fun. I saw (Kane) went back and had a big night and scored the overtime winner. That was just amazing to see. We’ll see how it goes.”

Jets captain Adam Lowry was thrilled to see Toews make the commitment to join the team during the off-season, noting that the possibility was brought to the team’s attention early in 2025.

“Yeah, it’s been great,” said Lowry, who continues to work his way back from hip surgery. “Unfortunately, I’ve kind of been in solitary confinement on the other side of the ice, so I haven’t had the opportunity to get to see him out on the ice but talking to him throughout the summer and then getting to meet him for the first time here in the gym.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and he’s got tremendous experience. There’s a reason why he’s as decorated as he is and seeing how he prepared himself in the gym, how he interacts with the guys, he’s fit right in. And I think you know there’s an excitement for him to get back and competing. And, you know, the buzz in the city is something else, something you feed off. We’re really excited to have a player of his calibre and stature in our organization.”

Especially when a player of that stature views the Jets as bonafide Stanley Cup contender.

“We all jumped at the thought of having a player like Jonathan even considering Winnipeg. It’s a huge deal,” said Lowry. “It means a lot to the guys in the room. We feel like we’re a good team and we’re really pushing and to have him consider us as one of the contenders, one of those teams that he believes in… You know, a smaller market. Generally, a market people don’t choose freely to come to. I think it’s a testament to his belief in our group. It was nice to see when it was finalized. Now that we have him, we’re super excited to welcome him into the fold.”

As the conversation with Toews was about to wrap up, he was asked if another chance to suit up for Canada at the Olympics factored into his decision to return to hockey.

“It’s in the back of my mind,” said Toews, who helped Canada win gold at the Olympics in both 2010 and 2014. “I wouldn’t say it’s the reason for (returning), but the timing couldn’t hurt.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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