After taking a two-year break from professional hockey, Jonathan Toews has agreed to a contract with the Winnipeg Jets. While the deal won’t be officially recorded by the NHL until free agency begins on July 1st, this signing gives the Jets a significant boost. Toews, a native of Winnipeg, brings a hometown hero’s presence to the team.
The last time Toews played was during the 2022-23 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he tallied 31 points (15 goals and 16 assists) across 53 games. While his first 46 games of that season were promising with 14 goals and 14 assists, his health declined in the latter half, including ongoing symptoms from Covid-19 announced in February 2023. After returning briefly in April, the Blackhawks chose not to re-sign him. Rather than retiring, Toews decided to focus on his health during the 2023-24 season.
At 37 years old, Toews has already cemented his status as a hockey legend. He led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup victories, appeared in six All-Star Games, won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010 as playoff MVP, and earned the Selke Trophy in 2013 as the NHL’s top defensive forward. Over his career, he accumulated 883 points (372 goals, 511 assists) in 1,067 regular-season games. In Blackhawks history, he ranks fifth in games played, sixth in points and goals, eighth in assists, and third in game-winning goals with 69.
It remains unclear how motivated Toews will be as he returns to the NHL, but he joins a strong Winnipeg Jets squad that claimed the Presidents’ Trophy with 116 points in the 2024-25 season. Despite earning the top seed in the Western Conference, the Jets were ousted in six games by the Dallas Stars in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Fan Take: This signing is a thrilling moment for hockey fans, especially those in Winnipeg, as it reunites a hometown star with his roots and brings veteran leadership to the Jets. Toews’ return could not only energize the team but also inspire the next generation of players, reminding fans of the profound impact of perseverance and dedication in the sport.
