Jonathan Toews hasn’t been seen much since his last game with the Chicago Blackhawks last year. he was not in attendance for the retirement of Chris Chelios’ number that occurred at the same time as Patrick Kane’s return to the United Center.
He recorded a message for his alma mater, North Dakota, as they honored Ryan Carter with one final turn.
A special message from one captain to another as Ryan Duncan gets ready to take the ice for his “One More Shift”#UNDorgullo | #LGH | @rduncan16 | @JonathanToews pic.twitter.com/VWISugqaoc
– North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) February 24, 2024
Otherwise, the last time she posted a photo of herself browsing on Instagram was nine weeks ago and she completely disappeared from the spotlight. However, she has not officially retired.
He remains an unrestricted free agent who announced after the 2023 season that he would take this season off to focus on your health. Long COVID ended his 2020-21 season and limited him to 53 games in 2022-23.
The physical nature that led to a storied career with the Hawks also began to erode his skills. He scored a combined 27 goals and 41 assists in his final two seasons in Chicago. Toews never had a season before in which he failed to record at least 50 points. Well, not counting the shortened 2012-13 season, and even then, he still scored 23 goals and 25 assists.
It was difficult to watch Toews finish out the remaining two years of his contract with the Blackhawks. It was heartbreaking to see the franchise announce that they were moving on, but it made sense. Now it makes sense for Toews to continue enjoying life outside of hockey.
Toews has earned the right to decide what he wants to do with his future, but his health issues and deteriorating game were clear signs that it’s time to leave for good. He has nothing left to prove. He has three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a Selke Trophy and a Messier Award. He was included in the list of the NHL’s 100 greatest players of all time in 2018. He is a sure candidate for the Hall of Fame and to have number 19 of him hanging in the rafters of the United Center.
Additionally, he scored a goal in his last game wearing the Blackhawks jersey. You can’t write a better ending than that. He would leave the game having only played for the Blackhawks. That puts him in the same class as Stan Mikita. We all saw how well Mikita was treated by the Hawks faithful during his post-career days.
Hockey is the only life he’s known, but the brief public looks he’s given this year have shown that he looks healthy and enjoying surfing. So please, Captain Serious, announce his retirement and catch some serious waves.