The end of the road is nearing for Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. Some say, it’s already over as the veteran forwards has just played in 46 games this season, missing action since Jan. 28 due to Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and long-COVID, which also sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 campaign.
It was recently reported that Toews was “seriously considering retiring after the season,” and it sounds like he may have already played his last game as a Blackhawk.
Head coach Luke Richardson provided anupdate earlier this week, explaining how Toews hasn’t taken that step yet to get back on the ice, though he is around the team and working out. With only 14 games left over the final stretch, a return to the ice is far from guaranteed.
“It has been really challenging to play through these symptoms,” Toews said in the statement. “In the last few weeks, it has reached the point where I had no choice but to step back and concentrate on getting healthy. I am thankful for the patience and support of my teammates, the coaching staff and the entire Blackhawks organization.”
The former No. 3 overall pick has spent his entire career with Chicago and issued the following statement after announcing his decision to remain with the Blackhawks on Feb. 19.
The Hawks had received interest from other teams about acquiring Toews earlier in the season, but it all came to an end when he was sidelined for health reasons prior to a public statement.
With the feeling that Toews might have played his last game with the Hawks, the team have made “preparations” to honour Toews if his intentions to retire after the season are confirmed. The Daily Herald suggests that could come on April 13 during the team’s last game of the season at home against Philadelphia.
It might be the end of Toews, but there is no doubt that he will quickly enter the Hockey Hall of Fame. He played 1,060 career NHL regular-season games and has recorded 371 goals and 509 assists for 880 points. He led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup Championships, won the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP, the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2013 and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2015. He also won two gold medals with the U.S. Olympic team.
And we all know he will go down as one of the greatest Blackhawks in franchise history.
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