Longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, who last played in the NHL in April 2023, has reportedly declared he is `100% committed` to rejoining the league for the 2025-26 season. According to Pierre LeBrun, Toews informed his agent, Pat Brisson, of his firm decision to attempt a comeback. Brisson is expected to engage with NHL teams regarding potential opportunities ahead of the free agency period, set to open on July 1.
Toews` career was significantly interrupted by health challenges, including a prolonged struggle with COVID-19 and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). Nearly two years ago, he announced his intention to step away from the game to prioritize his health. At the time, he clarified that this was not a retirement but a planned absence for the 2023-24 season, which subsequently extended through the most recent campaign.
He missed the entire shortened 2020-21 season. Towards the end of that year, he publicly shared his CIRS diagnosis and later confirmed through antibody testing that he had contracted COVID-19 during that time off. Despite returning to play for the Blackhawks the following season, he continued to miss substantial time due to long COVID symptoms before his contract expired following the 2022-23 season.
LeBrun`s report indicates that Toews has dedicated the past several months to preparing for an NHL return. A comeback after a multi-year break is not unprecedented; for example, Gabriel Landeskog recently returned to the Colorado Avalanche during this season`s Stanley Cup Playoffs after three years sidelined recovering from knee surgery.
A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Toews established a distinguished career playing exclusively for the Blackhawks. Chicago selected him third overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Before his time away from the league, the 37-year-old served as the team`s captain for a significant portion of his 15 seasons with the franchise.
Toews played a key role in the Blackhawks` first Stanley Cup victory in 2010, which ended a 47-year championship drought for the team. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the 2010 playoffs. His accolades also include a Selke Trophy as the league`s top defensive forward, six NHL All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014.
