Jonathan Toews, in his return to the NHL, reached a new milestone by recording his first point in almost two and a half years. After the Winnipeg Jets defeated the New York Islanders 5-2, Toews expressed his satisfaction at getting this weight off his shoulders. This point came thanks to a secondary assist in the game against the Islanders, marking his first point since April 2023, his last game with the Chicago Blackhawks before taking time off from hockey due to health issues.
Toews, 37, chose to play for his hometown team to return after being absent for the last two seasons due to the effects of chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID-19. Currently, he feels physically well while regaining his rhythm. The player has captained the Blackhawks and led them to win the Stanley Cup on three occasions: 2010, 2013, and 2015. In addition, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during the franchise’s first championship since 1961 and was chosen as one of the 100 best players in league history. His teammate, Patrick Kane, expressed his joy at Toews’ return. Toews has also represented Canada, winning two Olympic gold medals. It is expected that on December 31st, Winnipeg will visit Detroit, which could be a showdown between Toews and Kane. Kane, when asked if Toews has changed over the years, replied that he has not, highlighting his competitive mentality. Toews is proving his worth, averaging more than 17 minutes of ice time as the second-line center for the Jets. Coach Scott Arniel used him on the penalty kill against the Islanders, and the coaching staff is trying not to overload him.I felt like I had some chances to score as well. I hope to find a way to get that first goal here as well. I think ultimately you just have to focus on making plays, moving around the net, being more confident when the puck comes to those dangerous areas. It’s a numbers game. You just have to keep creating and finding ways to find the back of the net.
Jonathan Toews
The next challenge is to try to be part of the Canadian Olympic team in the return of NHL players to the Milan Games in February. Also, Toews is looking to help the Jets win the Cup for the first time, and his teammates value his presence.He’s getting better every day. That’s what he and I talked about, that it wasn’t going to happen overnight. Every day, he’s been improving and I think he’s recognizing how to play the game with his intelligence in hockey.
Scott Arniel
It’s the leadership he has, the things he’s done in this league, and there’s nothing he hasn’t done. It helps a lot. It helps us. He’s very expressive in the locker room, he says the right things.
Tanner Pearson
