On Friday, most American hockey fans were celebrating their most patriotic holiday. North of the border, up in Manitoba, the Winnipeg Jets were introducing the latest addition to their team. Former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews arrived and did his first media as a Jet.
It is a bit odd to see Toews donning another NHL sweater, but that is the reality of 2025. Winnipeg’s first game will be the first time that Toews suits up since the final game of the 2022-23 season.
Toews talked about a variety of topics during his presser, including his excitement to return to the NHL with the team he grew up cheering for.
Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XWe're taking you LIVE to the first media availability with Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews! https://t.co/eMjEvdCXnw
“There’s a lot of pressure playing in a Canadian market,” Toews said. “I’m excited to be a part of all that.”
It’s not like Chicago is shy when it comes to sports pressure; the teams that Toews played for just won early and often, so he didn’t feel it as much. Now that he’s in Winnipeg on a team that just won the President’s Trophy but had another playoff failure, things will be different.
“It’s surreal to be sitting here right now, putting this jersey on,” Toews said on playing for the Jets. “You have these moments throughout your career. I don’t want to say you get jaded, but you get used to it, and you kind of settle in. This is another moment that brings me back to that new feeling, you’re getting drafted again, you’re a young kid. There is definitely that excitement and that motivation to come in.”
Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XOne of the most decorated hockey players in the history of our province is coming home 💙
If anybody deserves to go out on their terms, it is Jonathan Toews. It seems like he is incredibly happy to be returning to hockey after a few years away, getting healthy both physically and mentally. He will go down as a Chicago Blackhawks legend, and he knows that, but playing back in Manitoba will be special for him and his family.
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