Toews Retires & Leaves Lasting Impact on Blackhawks

“Finally, the fans in Chicago… like I said, what a ride…“

And just like that, Jonathan Toews has officially retired. A legendary 16-season career that boasted more accolades than most ever achieve. A career that led a new age (and dynasty) of hockey. A career that cemented him as not only one of the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all time, but one of the greatest NHL players of all-time.

Toews is one of those names that, even if you are not seeing him on the ice, you are always going to hear it. Take last season, for example. It was a defining year for him, having returned to play for his hometown team, the Winnipeg Jets, after missing two years recovering from long COVID and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

But you heard his name appear for the Blackhawks, too. He last played for them in 2023, but last season was their Centennial season, and you can’t celebrate 100 years without acknowledging the players who helped shape the team’s history.

Toews remained prominent even as he played for a different team. His face appeared in the team’s opening video for home games (alongside other Blackhawks greats like Stan Mikita, Patrick Kane, and more) commemorating 100 years of Blackhawks hockey.

It became even bigger when he returned to the United Center for the first time as part of the Jets in January, where he received a memorable four-plus minute ovation from the Chicago fans.

Toews and his teammates helped define a new era of winning hockey in Chicago, and that sentiment remained throughout last season and will always.

Blackhawks Perspectives On Toews

The only Blackhawks players with a connection to Toews are Teuvo Teräväinen, Sam Lafferty (from 2021 to 2023), Alex Vlasic, and Wyatt Kaiser, who played with him for a bit after they made their NHL debuts. So, it’s fun to hear the players’ perspectives on those they played with or came before/after them.

Here are some comments made by the Blackhawks’ players last season:

Vlasic said after Toews’ return and the ovation he received, “I thought it was unreal. It was really special. You know, I was lucky enough to see the Kane one as well. And, you know, this one was just as cool. I don’t know how long it was (the ovation)… It was really cool. I’m so happy I got to play with him for a little bit and see what he was like as a person, as a leader. He’s such a good person. So, really happy for him that he’s back playing.”

Oliver Moore said about the ovation, “That was crazy. My forearms were burning. I was just tapping the boards. But yeah, like I said, that’s a memory I’ll never forget. I’m sure everyone in the building is gonna remember that moment. And I mean, I never got to be here for a game when he was playing, but I can only imagine the impact… obviously, the impact that he had on the city, the fans, you know, just the whole community, Chicago Blackhawks, and it’s a big reason why fans come out to the games today. He engraved that history, and their teams did. So it was pretty cool.”

Ryan Greene talked to my colleague Gail Kauchak, and after she told him he won 6-of-9 faceoffs against Toews, he replied, “He was one of my idols growing up, so that is sweet. I mean, that’s pretty insane that you say that. I had posters of him in my basement growing up; one of my favorite players. That’s crazy. That’s a cool stat.”

Toews’ name also came up when head coach Jeff Blashill mentioned that he could see Anton Frondell potentially becoming a similar type of player down the road, given his attributes.

Toews Forever Linked With Blackhawks

Last season and beyond, you’ll always hear about Toews and his teammates in Chicago.

As Blackhawks Chairman & CEO Danny Wirtz said in a statement, “While his playing career has come to a close, Jonathan’s place in Blackhawks’ history- in hockey history- will be talked about for as long as the game is played.”

Toews continued in his retirement speech about Chicago, “I mean, sometimes it’s happening so fast, and you don’t really have time to stop and smell the roses. You’re kind of on to the next thing constantly. It’s kind of what you have to do to not only survive, but thrive in this league. And going back to Chicago for my first game back this year was definitely… it was shocking. I mean… it was a lot to take in and hard to receive, almost. Just the love from the fans in that game, and I got to kind of skate around and take it all in.

“Just was a great reminder of just how special those years were, and so cool to see what winning championships meant in that city, and you know, just reminds me all the time that hockey is not just a game. It means a lot to people, and I think as a young kid, you grow up, you know, really inspired to be great at what you do, but obviously, you want to inspire people as well. So I think that’s the ultimate sign that it touched a lot of people. So, it was really cool to see that. So thank you.”

Toews led a team that introduced me and so many others to hockey. His leadership as captain was revered, and the hockey speaks for itself.

He became known as “Chicago’s Captain” (and Captain Serious), leading the team that won three Stanley Cups. He also won a Conn Smythe, a Selke, and Olympic gold medals; the list goes on.

After all, the precedent he and his teammates set is one that players and coaches strive to emulate.

What a ride, indeed.