Jonathan Toews, the veteran former captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, who has not participated in an NHL game since April 2023, is reportedly “100% committed” to rejoining the league for the 2025-26 season. According to a report by Pierre LeBrun, Toews has conveyed his determination to agent Pat Brisson, who stated he would engage in discussions with NHL teams as the free agency period approaches on July 1.
Toews` career faced a significant interruption due to a prolonged battle with the effects of COVID-19 and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). Approximately two years ago, he announced his intention to take time away from the sport to prioritize his health, emphasizing at the time that he was not retiring but simply sitting out the 2023-24 season. This break subsequently extended into the most recent campaign.
He was sidelined for the entirety of the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season. By the end of that year, he was diagnosed with CIRS, and he later revealed that an antibody test indicated he had also contracted COVID-19 during that period away. Although Toews did return to the ice with the Blackhawks in the subsequent seasons, he continued to miss considerable time dealing with long COVID symptoms, and his contract expired following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
LeBrun`s report suggests that Toews has dedicated the past several months to preparing for an NHL comeback. Returning after an absence of multiple years is not without precedent in the league; Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche recently demonstrated this by returning during this season`s Stanley Cup Playoffs after a three-year layoff due to knee surgery.
A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Toews established a distinguished career spent exclusively with the Blackhawks organization. Drafted third overall by Chicago in the 2006 NHL Draft, the 37-year-old served as the team`s longtime captain for 15 seasons prior to his time away from the sport.
His first Stanley Cup victory in 2010 was particularly notable, ending a 47-year championship drought for the Blackhawks franchise. During that memorable playoff run, Toews was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player. His numerous accolades also include winning a Selke Trophy as the league`s best defensive forward, being selected as a six-time NHL All-Star, and earning two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014.
