Introduction to Jonathan Toews’ NHL Comeback
Jonathan Toews reached another milestone in his NHL comeback on Monday, recording his first point in nearly 2 1/2 years. Toews helped set up Nino Niederreiter’s power-play goal in the Jets’ third game of the season and picked up a secondary assist.
Toews last got on the scoresheet April 14, 2023, in his final game with Chicago before stepping away from hockey because of health issues.
The Journey to Recovery
Toews, now 37, chose his hometown team to make his return after missing the past two seasons because of the effects of chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID. He said he’s feeling good physically while getting up to speed. “Still finding my way a little bit," Toews said. “It takes time to become second-nature. And then you have to find your game. You’ve got to go out there and relax a little bit. The first couple games I felt like I was getting tired late in shifts, because you’re just over-skating everything and over-working yourself. You’d rather be safe than sorry, and sometimes less is more.”
Career Highlights and Accolades
Toews captained Chicago to the Stanley Cup three times, in 2010, ‘13 and ’15. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during the franchise’s first championship run since 1961 and in 2016 was chosen as one of the top 100 players in the league’s 100-year history. Toews also helped Canada win two Olympic gold medals.
Reaction from Fellow Players
Longtime Blackhawks teammate and current Detroit Red Wings winger Patrick Kane said last month, “He’s worked hard to come back and feel good, and I think that’s the most important thing is he’s feeling good,” “I’m really happy that he’s back.” Kane already asked coach Todd McLellan to put him out for the opening faceoff against the former teammate with whom he’ll forever be linked when Winnipeg visits Detroit on Dec. 31.
Current Performance and Future Goals
Toews is proving he still has it, averaging over 17 minutes of ice time as the Jets’ second-line center. Coach Scott Arniel used Toews on the penalty kill against the Islanders after forward Cole Koepke got injured blocking a shot, but the staff is trying not to overplay him. “He’s getting better every day," Arniel said. "That’s what we talked about, him and I, that it wasn’t going to come in one fell swoop. Every day, he’s gotten better and better and I think he’s recognizing just how to kind of play the game with his hockey smarts. The next task is a long shot bid to make Canada’s Olympic team one more time in NHL players’ return to the Games in Milan in February. He’d also like to help the Jets win the Cup for the first time, and his teammates love having Toews around.
Conclusion
Jonathan Toews’ successful return to the NHL is an inspiration to many, and his dedication to the sport is evident in his hard work and perseverance. As he continues to make progress and achieve new milestones, fans and teammates alike are excited to see what the future holds for this talented player.
FAQs
Q: What is Jonathan Toews’ current team?
A: Jonathan Toews currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets.
Q: What health issues did Toews face that caused him to step away from hockey?
A: Toews suffered from chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID, which forced him to miss the past two seasons.
Q: What is Toews’ goal for the upcoming Olympic Games?
A: Toews hopes to make Canada’s Olympic team one more time in the NHL players’ return to the Games in Milan in February.
Q: How has Toews’ performance been since his return to the NHL?
A: Toews is averaging over 17 minutes of ice time as the Jets’ second-line center and is proving he still has it, with his teammates and coaches praising his hockey smarts and dedication to the game.
