Chicago Blackhawks captain
Jonathan Toews has been away from the team for nearly a month now as he continues to deal with symptoms of long-COVID and chronic immune response syndrome.
The 34-year-old missed the entire 2020-21 season due to the condition and was well enough to return for the 2021-22 campaign and 2022-23 until early February when he began to experience some difficulties again.
Two sources have informed John Dietz of the Daily Herald, a newspaper based in Chicago, that Toews is seriously considering retirement at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
"It's looking more and more like
Jonathan Toews' career is coming to an unfortunate end.
According to two sources, Toews is seriously considering retiring after the season." Dietz said on Friday.
Dietz went on to add that Toews has been around the team for the last two weeks and has attended the last four home games. He also mentioned a unique situation that would be nice to see for Toews, if he does indeed to decide to retire, but this would be pending his health.
"Toews deserves to be saluted one last time, so if he has made up his mind to retire then you'd hope it unfolds like this: He holds a news conference to announce the decision and (assuming he's healthy) says he will play in the final home game on April 13."
The Winnipeg native has been a crucial part of the Blackhawks since he began his NHL career in 2007. He's spent 16 seasons with Chicago, winning the Stanley Cup three times, including the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2010. Toews was named captain ahead of the 2008-09 season, his second in the league and has worn the 'C' on his chest for the last 15 years.
Whatever the future may bring for
Jonathan Toews, there's no doubt that one day he'll have his number hanging from the rafters at the United Center and will be in the Hockey Hall of Fame, not only for his achievements with the Blackhawks, but also what he's done in his career internationally with Canada.
