‘It’s a weird situation’: Toews readies for emotional return to Chicago against the Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews returns to the city he won three Stanley Cups as the Jets battle the Chicago Blackhawks. Joseph Bernacki has more.

Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews is returning to the arena where his career began, two years after stepping away from the NHL.

“It’s always nice to feel the energy when you come back to Chicago so it’s nice to be back,” Toews said to reporters on Monday morning.

The Jets take the ice on Monday night against their central division foe, the Chicago Blackhawks.

For Toews, it’s a return to the barn where he cemented Chicago sports history – captaining a team to three Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

“It’s a weird situation, you don’t get games like this all the time obviously,” Toews said.

Toews’ return to hockey was welcomed by fans of both the Jets and the Blackhawks. The 37-year-old had four consecutive games with a goal in the last five games with the Jets.

Last Friday, Toews notched his 900th career NHL point after scoring a power play goal against the Minnesota Wild in a 6-2 win. The Jets enter Monday night having won four of their last five games.

Seeing the veteran contribute to the scoresheet is captivating the followers of Toews’ moniker, ‘captain serious.’

“He’s getting on the first power play, and I think just getting those reps and getting those touches has made a difference for him,” said Tyler Riel, director of hockey and ice programs at Dakota Community Centre.

“Even as decorated as he is, confidence is everything.”

Riel grew up playing hockey with Toews and the two have been friends since they were little. He said Monday night’s matchup will be an emotional one for the former Blackhawks captain.

“Imagine going back to a place that you spent, you called home for 15 years and you brought all the pride, and you brought all the glory to that city and what he meant to be as a captain,” Riel said.

The Jets took the first of four matches with the Hawks on Oct. 30, winning 6-3 at Canada Life Centre. Before the matchup, the Blackhawks remained one point above the Jets in the bottom of the Central Division standings.

Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel said Toews’ recent play has bolstered the team’s secondary scoring and the matchup presents a special moment.

“These are special for everybody, and I think that everybody will enjoy it but I’m sure Jonathan wants to get through it,” Arniel said.

Ahead of Monday’s puck drop, Chicago Blackhawks beat writers said Toews’ leadership is unmatched in their franchise’s century of history.

“I mean certainly Hawks fans love everybody from that Stanley Cup era, but I think they formed a more special bond with Toews than anyone else,” said Ben Pope, Blackhawks beat writer with the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday.

“He did wear his heart on his sleeve, he was kind of that down to earth leader of the team.”

“Jonathan Toews was absolutely the leader in the room and the engine that drove the whole thing,” said Tab Bamford, Blackhawks lead writer for Bleacher Nation.

“I have kids that are 15 and 18 years old, I tell them they’re spoiled because they grew up watching Jonathan Toews the way that the previous generation grew up watching Michael Jordan and you don’t realize how long and hard it was between championships.”

Puck drop at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.