Former Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews says thank-you to his supporters.
Winnipeg's Jonathan Toews has officially said thank-you to the Blackhawks organization, his teammates, supporters and the city of Chicago in an emotional farewell Instagram post on Thursday afternoon.
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The 35-year-old has spent his entire 1,067-game NHL career with the Blackhawks - the team that chose him third overall in the 2006 NHL Draft - and has three Stanley Cups to his name.
A member of the Triple Gold Club (Stanley Cup, World Hockey Championship, Winter Olympics) Toews owns 372 goals and 511 assists in the regular season, while also taking home the Selke Trophy in 2013 and the Conn Smythe in 2010.
2022-23 was the final season of the St. Vital product's eight-year, $84 million contract signed back in 2014. Prior to the final game last year, Chicago GM Kyle Davidson announced that Toews would not be re-signed and would become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
The next step of his career remains unclear, with many hinting at a possible early retirement. It is expected that he will not be playing during the 2023-24 season, but rather working towards a comeback in the future.
Able to play in just 53 games last season due to long COVID and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome, Toews put up 15 goals and 31 points. In 2021-22, he skated in 71 games after missing the entire 2020-21 campaign due to his progressive, multi-system, multi-symptom condition.
Toews' full letter is as follows:
"It’s hard to find words to describe the 16-year journey that has made this city my home.
Aside from the 3 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."
To Blackhawks fans, it was surreal to witness and be a part of the revival of hockey in Chicago. There was nothing like the roar of the Madhouse when we scored a big goal to tie it or win it late in a game. As players, we tried to reciprocate that heart and soul energy we felt from you. I honestly believe it’s what made us so tough to beat in the later games of a playoff series. You are the best fans in the world, and I’m so thankful we shared so many special moments together.
To the Blackhawks Organization, the late Rocky, Danny and the Wirtz family, all of my coaches, GM’s, athletic and equipment trainers, strength coaches, scouting staff and all those that put it all together. It is not lost on me that all the work you do behind the scenes leads to all of our success on the ice. You showed up every day to help all of us achieve our dreams and for that I am forever grateful.
To my Blackhawks teammates, I consider you all lifelong friends and brothers. We share a bond that’s hard to break. Whether you reach the mountain top or not, we can all agree it’s grinding through the tough moments together that we’ll really miss.
To all of you I say, THANK YOU. You made my time here in Chicago unforgettable.
Tazer."