Toews Celebrates: First Point with Jets After Triumphant Return

Jonathan Toews Achieves New Milestone in His Return to the NHL

Jonathan Toews has achieved a new milestone in his return to the NHL, recording his first point in almost two and a half years. Toews assisted on Nino Niederreiter’s power-play goal during the Winnipeg Jets’ game against the New York Islanders. This was the Jets’ third game of the season, and Toews earned a secondary assist. The last point recorded by Toews was on April 14, 2023, in his last game with Chicago, before stepping away from hockey due to health issues.

“He’s worked hard to come back and feel good, and I think that’s the most important thing, that he feels good,” commented Patrick Kane.

Patrick Kane

Toews, 37, chose his hometown team for his return after missing the last two seasons due to the effects of chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID. Previously, Toews led Chicago as captain, winning the Stanley Cup three times: in 2010, 2013, and 2015. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during the franchise’s first championship since 1961 and was chosen in 2016 as one of the 100 best players in league history. Toews also helped Canada win two Olympic gold medals. These tournaments and world championships are the only times he and Kane have faced each other since they debuted together with the Blackhawks in 2007. This will change on December 31st, when Winnipeg visits Detroit. Kane has already asked coach Todd McLellan to put him in the initial lineup against his former teammate, with whom he will always be linked. When Kane was asked before camp began if he thought Toews, nicknamed “Captain Serious” for his low-key demeanor, had softened over the years, he shook his head.

“I don’t think so,” Kane said. “I’m sure he’s mad about something. Someone said something about him, or he always has to prove someone wrong. That’s a good thing about Johnny. He’s always willing to prove something.”

Patrick Kane

Toews is showing that he still has what it takes, averaging almost 17 minutes of ice time as the center of the Jets’ second line. The next task is a long-distance attempt to be part of the Canadian Olympic team once again, as NHL players return to the Games in Milan in February.