Reverence & roars: Toews excited for Chicago return Former Blackhawk captain looking forward to first game as Jet in Windy City By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 7:11 PM CST Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026 Last Modified: 11:02 PM CST Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026 Updates

CHICAGO — The farewell was equal parts appreciative and mystifying for Jonathan Toews.

As the longtime captain of the Chicago Blackhawks skated off the United Center ice for the final time as the face of the franchise in April 2023, he had an abundance of emotions flowing through his body and mind.

Toews was grateful for the chance to say goodbye to a place that meant so much to him, but was still coming to terms for the way that portion of the journey was ending.

Compounding matters, it was also unclear if he could continue his life as an NHLer.

“I had no idea. I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to play again at that point,” Toews said during a one-on-one interview. “It was definitely emotional. I was pretty blown away by that moment, especially when the other team was lined up and the fans were making me skate around the ice.

“I didn’t really know how to handle that moment. It was almost too much. But like I’ve always said, it was the closing of the chapter where I was the last guy from that team and it was pretty cool to represent that.”

It would require more than two years — and an excruciatingly long recovery process — for Toews to finally get his answer about his future as a professional hockey player.

On Monday, Toews will stroll back into the arena where he produced more than 15 seasons of memories for a fabled Original Six franchise.

Only this time he will be wearing the jersey of the visiting team, his hometown Winnipeg Jets.

One would imagine Toews will be welcomed back with reverence and roars, given the way he helped resuscitate the organization, shepherding them out from the wilderness and to a span of hockey that included three Stanley Cups and a lifetime of everlasting highlights for the Blackhawks and their faithful.

Make no mistake, the emotional bond is a two-way street and Toews’ love for the city, the organization and the fans of the ’Hawks know no bounds.

It’s the place he arrived as a teenager and blossomed into a bona fide Hockey Hall of Famer.

As a wide-eyed 17-year-old in Vancouver when Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon stepped to the podium and announced the selection of Toews, he had no idea how his life was about to change.

“No. My dream was playing in the NHL. I didn’t give anything after that too much thought,” said Toews. “But after you get there, this is what we’re here to do, to win a Stanley Cup. Once you get a chance to do it, it’s pretty special. You recognize there are a lot of great players that never got the chance to do that. It was quite an honour and it was special to be part of teams that were good enough to go that far.”

“I’m excited to go back to the United Center… It’s an amazing sports city. When we won our first Cup, everything leading up to that, we were blown away by the support and how crazy the hockey fans are there.”

From seeing roughly 5,000 fans in the stands for his NHL debut to watching the atmosphere inside the United Center grow into one of the most enjoyable environments in the league was something to behold.

“A trip down memory lane, for sure. I’m excited to go back to the United Center. I played a lot of games there,” said Toews, who was planning to connect with several former teammates from the glory years on Sunday. “It’s an amazing sports city. When we won our first Cup, everything leading up to that, we were blown away by the support and how crazy the hockey fans are there.”

There were plenty of individual accomplishments and achievements along the way, including a Conn Smythe trophy as the Stanley Cup playoff MVP in 2010 when the Blackhawks claimed the first league championship since 1961 and a Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward in the NHL in 2012-13.

Yet, Toews has always put the team before himself, which is one of the many reasons he is revered in the Windy City and beyond.

Toews appeared in the first 1,067 NHL games (plus another 137 during the playoffs) with the Blackhawks and for the longest time the proud Winnipegger believed it would be the only organization he would play for.

But the circumstances changed for Toews when the Blackhawks decided their rebuilding process would move forward without the face of the franchise and Patrick Kane, who was dealt to the New York Rangers.

Toews saw the warm reception Kane received back in February of 2024 as a member of the Detroit Red Wings after he scored the overtime winner against the Blackhawks.

Even though he didn’t suit up in the contest as an opponent, Toews has an idea of what is in store for him.

The tribute video and the ovations figure to be deafening.

Even for someone who has been known to be laser-focused on the task at hand throughout a career that is approaching two decades, Toews is in for a treat and you can bet he’s going to take a moment to soak in the adulation before turning the page to the pursuit of two points.

Toews has always been known for having a sense of occasion and the ability to rise to the challenge.

In many ways, the arrival of this date comes at an opportune time, as the 37-year-old is playing some of the best hockey of this season.

Were it not for a cruel double-doink off the post and crossbar during a power play late in the third period of Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toews would be riding a five-game goal-scoring streak.

Even still, he’s delivered four goals and nine points during the past 12 games while doing an excellent job on a revitalized second line with Gabe Vilardi and Cole Perfetti.

He’s second in the NHL in faceoff percentage at 62.4 per cent and has been promoted to the Jets’ top power play unit.

Although there were some tough patches he worked through during this comeback, this is the type of play Toews envisioned when he agreed to join his hometown team on a one-year deal that was made official on July 1.

“It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been working hard and staying with it, even when there are times when it feels pretty discouraging when things don’t go your way,” said Toews, who is up to seven goals and 18 points in 47 games this season. “It’s easy to let that frustration get to you a little bit, but you’ve got to keep working through.

“I’ve always believed in my game, knowing that if I get my feet going and find my timing on the ice, we have good players on this team and I can help them make plays. It’s fun to have some offensive success and I want to keep building on my two-way game as well as we go deeper into the season.”

Battling through adversity is what helps make you appreciate the good times all the more.

“I love playing in Winnipeg and I love playing for the Jets. This is a dream come true in its own right, to be able to do this at this stage of my career.”

“I love playing in Winnipeg and I love playing for the Jets. This is a dream come true in its own right, to be able to do this at this stage of my career,” said Toews. “Hopefully, I can go out there and contribute to a big win. That would feel really good.”

To be clear, Toews’ teammates understand the assignment as well.

When the subject was brought up to Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey, he referenced all the Blackhawks games he watched during those glory years before making it to the NHL himself.

And while he’s been involved in plenty of fun matchups with the Blackhawks over the years in the Central Division, Morrissey recognizes this one is going to be one of a kind.

“I can only imagine for him, being the captain there for so long, and hoisting the three Cups and what he meant to that city and organization. It’s going to be special,” said Morrissey. “As a teammate, you’re excited for him. And obviously, not just with where we’re at in standings, but for him as well, we want to go in and find a way to get two points.

“He’s a legend there. When you win three cups and captain three Stanley Cup teams, and play the way he has, I’m sure his number will be in those rafters one day.”

Along with a statue outside the United Center, whenever Toews decides to close the book on this latest chapter of a storybook career.

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