After two seasons out of the NHL, former Chicago Blackhawks legend Jonathan Toews is making a comeback. Toews, who sat out the past two seasons due to health issues, signed a deal with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, the team announced.
Toews, 37, last played in the NHL during the 2022-23 season. Injuries disrupted his season, causing him to play in just 53 games. He scored a career-low 31 points.
While Toews career got off to a tremendous start, injuries disrupted his Hall of Fame performance in his prime. Toews missed the entire 2020-21 NHL season after being diagnosed with chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). He returned to action the following year, but scored just 37 points. After another tough season in 2022-23, Toews said CIRS and long COVID were still affecting his game.
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That August, Toews said he intended to sit out the 2023-24 season to focus on recovery. In March of 2025, Toews said he was ready to return to the NHL, telling The Athletic, “I still think there’s something left to give.” Toews added that he wanted a fresh start, and wanted to play for a team other than the Blackhawks.
It’s impossible to overstate the impact Toews had on Chicago after he was selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft. He exceeded those lofty expectations, leading the team to three Stanley Cup championships. Toews also won the 2009-10 Conn Smythe award and the Selke Trophy during the 2012-13 season for his defensive excellence. Two seasons later, he was awarded the Mark Messier leadership award.
In 15 seasons with the Blackhawks, Toews registered 372 goals, 511 assists and 883 points. Those figures rank sixth, eighth and six — respectively — in Blackhawks history.
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