After 13 seasons as an anchor for the Chicago Blackhawks, forward Jonathan Toews is set to play his final game with the team on May 10th, 2021. The news comes as the Blackhawks announce they will not be re-signing the veteran player. Toews has been a staple of the Chicago franchise since being drafted in 2006, leading them to three Stanley Cup Championships and earning the title of team captain in 2008. As one of the most respected players in the NHL, Toews’ departure will surely be felt by the Blackhawks and their fans.
Jonathan Toews, longtime captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, will play his final game for the team on Thursday after it was mutually agreed that he would not be re-signed when his eight-year, $84 million contract expires at the end of the season. The forward, who turns 35 on April 29, has not yet decided about his future playing career. After 1,066 NHL games, Toews has scored 371 goals, achieved 511 assists, and won three Stanley Cup championships whilst wearing a Blackhawks sweater. He will don it for the final time against the Philadelphia Flyers at United Center. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said that the decision was tough but part of the team’s rebuilding process. Toews has not spoken about his future plans but did step away from the team in early 2021 due to the effects of long Covid-19 and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome. Davidson has stressed that Toews’ health and contract end did not affect the decision.
The news of Toews’ departure comes just weeks after the Blackhawks traded another core member of their championship-winning team, Patrick Kane, to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28. Kane expressed his sadness about Toews’ departure and talked about how they had come up together in their careers. He said that they had played together for the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup championship teams and had signed their respective eight-year contracts in July 2014.
Toews and Kane had each played important roles in helping the Blackhawks achieve much success on the ice. Toews has 119 points (45 goals, 74 assists) in 137 playoff games and was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time in 2017. The Blackhawks currently share the bottom slot in the NHL’s rankings with the Anaheim Ducks and the team will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season and for the fifth time in the past six seasons.
As the final buzzer sounds on the unforgettable career of Jonathan Toews with the Chicago Blackhawks, we are left with a mix of emotions. On one hand, we celebrate the countless achievements he brought to the team, from three Stanley Cup championships to being named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time. On the other hand, it’s hard to imagine a Blackhawks team without their captain and leader.
For over a decade, Toews has been the heart and soul of the Blackhawks. His work ethic, determination, and talent on the ice have inspired countless fans and players alike. It’s difficult to put into words just how much he has meant to the team and the city of Chicago.
As Toews prepares for his final game with the Blackhawks, we know that he will leave the ice with the same class and dignity he has displayed throughout his career. Although we are sad to see him go, we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
Thank you, Toews, for the memories, the inspiration, and the legacy you leave behind. You will always be a Chicago Blackhawks legend.
