Jonathan Toews announced he isn't retiring yet but is taking some time away from the NHL to "fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest."
Jonathan Toews isn't retiring yet, but he's stepping back next season.
The longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain and current free agent announced on Instagram on Thursday that he's "taking time away from the game again this season," likely ruling him out for at least most of the 2023-24 NHL campaign.
"I cannot deny my love for the game of hockey and still feel the passion for competing at my highest level," Toews said in a statement. "However, these last few seasons have been very difficult considering my health challenges. My focus is to give myself the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again."
Toews, 35, was limited to 53 games for Chicago last year and sat out the shortened 2020-21 season due to symptoms of long COVID-19 and chronic immune response syndrome. He said earlier last season it was getting very challenging to play through the symptoms, and he reached a point where he needed to step back. In those 53 contests, the center recorded 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points.
"Along the way, I have met several people who have struggled with with health issues pertaining to long COVID, chronic immune response syndrome and other similar cases that are quite complex," Toews added in his statement. "I now recognize the importance of one day sharing the details of my health journey with you all."
Since the Blackhawks selected Toews third overall in the 2006 NHL draft, the Winnipeg native played all 1,067 regular-season games of his career to date with Chicago. He has 372 goals, 511 assists and 883 points to his name, as well as 45 goals and 119 points in 137 playoff contests. He has quite a bit of hardware as well, with three Stanley Cup championships to go with a Conn Smythe Trophy, Selke Trophy and Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.
The team and Toews decided to part ways this off-season after those 16 years together, and the 15-year captain released an earlier statement on Thursday thanking the franchise and fans for his time with them.
"Aside from the three Stanley Cups, the parades, and the countless memories made with my teammates, what is still most special to me was feeling a true connection to the people of this city," Toews said.
On top of his NHL career so far and Cup rings, Toews won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014 and a World Championship gold medal, making him only one of 30 players to be part of the IIHF's Triple Gold Club. He also won world juniors gold in 2006 and 2007, as well as a World Cup of Hockey championship.
When or even if Toews returns to the NHL remains to be seen, but from an on-ice standpoint, a break to recover and ensure he's fully healthy could make him a valuable addition to a Cup contender.