Jonathan Toews, the long-serving captain of the Chicago Blackhawks who has not played since April 2023, has declared he is fully committed to returning to the NHL for the 2025-26 season. Toews has informed his agent, Pat Brisson, about his intention to come back, and NHL teams are expected to reach out to Brisson as the free agency period approaches on July 1st.
Toews had been sidelined due to complications from Covid-19 and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), leading him to take time off starting nearly two years ago to prioritize his health, without formally retiring. He missed the shortened 2020-21 season after being diagnosed with CIRS and later learned he had contracted Covid-19 during that time. After returning for a portion of the next season, lingering long Covid symptoms delayed his play, and his contract expired at the end of the 2022-23 season.
According to reports, Toews has recently been working toward resuming his NHL career. While multi-year absences are rare, they are not unheard of, as illustrated by Gabriel Landeskog’s return to the Colorado Avalanche after three years away due to knee surgery. Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, has spent his entire 15-season NHL career with the Blackhawks after being selected third overall in the 2006 draft.
Toews ended a 47-year championship drought for Chicago by winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, where he also earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He is also a Selke Trophy winner, a six-time NHL All-Star, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Games.
Fan Take: Jonathan Toews’ anticipated return is a significant moment for hockey fans, symbolizing resilience and the enduring spirit of the game. His comeback not only inspires those battling health setbacks but also adds excitement and depth to the NHL landscape as an iconic player aims to reclaim his place on the ice.
