When Jonathan Toews hits the ice tonight, he’ll see some familiar faces but an unfamiliar foe. Toews is facing his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, for the very first time in his storied NHL career. “I think there’s still a connection to the organization and the City of Chicago, and I think there always will be,” Toews told reporters Thursday morning. “Chicago was my home for a long time.” The Winnipeg native was selected by the Blackhawks third overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft—and it didn’t take long for “Captain Serious” to make his mark. In 2010, Toews led Chicago to its first Stanley Cup in 49 years and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. Toews won two more Cups in 2013 and 2015 during his time in the Windy City --- cementing his legacy as an all-time Blackhawks great. “You kind of think that these things are never going to change, or at least you assume that’s the way things are with any organization,” Toews said. “Things change really fast.” Toews played his final game with the Blackhawks in April 2023 before stepping away from the game for two years to deal with health issues. All in all, Toews scored 372 goals and added 511 assists in 15 seasons with the Original Six franchise. Now, Toews is reemerging as a two-way threat for his hometown team. He’s racked up two goals and three assists through the Jets’ first 10 games while dominating in the faceoff dot. “He’s so driven,” Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel said. “His mindset, his determination. All those things we saw in Chicago for all those years when they obviously were doing what they were doing there and winning championships. He has that drive.” Former teammate Connor Murphy says it will be weird seeing #19 wearing a different jersey, but adds Toews still has all the talent and intangibles. “He’s like that peak example in the NHL of a guy you want to follow around, look up to and learn off of,” Murphy said. “He’s the number one guy I’d say to be able to do what he’s doing.” And Connor Bedard, the new face of the Blackhawks, said Toews’ return to the league is inspiring for all. “It’s obviously a great story of him coming back and everyone’s happy for him,” Bedard told reporters. “So it’s good to see a guy like that, you know, back playing, and it will be fun to compete against him.” Connor Hellebuyck is expected to get the start in net for the 7-3 Winnipeg Jets. The team is coming off a 4-3 OT win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Meantime, the Blackhawks are 5-3-2 through their first 10 games after clobbering the Ottawa Senators 7-3 on Tuesday. Puck drop from Canada Life Centre is slated for 7 p.m. Central Thursday.
