It came as little surprise that Winnipeg Jets fans—and hockey fans across the globe—are fired up for the return of Jonathan Toews this fall. But it isn’t just the fan base that’s excited. Inside the Jets’ locker room, players are equally eager to welcome the NHL legend.

“I thought it kind of was the perfect storm almost,” Mark Scheifele said Saturday at the Rogers Legends of Hockey event, held during the PGA Tour Champions stop at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. “Coming back to Winnipeg, coming back from not playing for a couple of years, I thought it all made so much sense. I was obviously hoping that we were the front-runner and we’re very excited to have him.”

Toews, a Winnipeg-born star and three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks (2010, 2013, 2015), signed a one-year deal with the Jets on July 1. His return to the NHL comes after stepping away from the game for two seasons, and he now joins a team fresh off winning its first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history.

“Obviously he’s a legend not just in the NHL, but Winnipeg especially,” Scheifele said. “I had a number of conversations with him this summer, he’s really excited to get back playing hockey and to be with our group. I’m very excited to have a guy with his stature and his experience. I’m really excited to play with him.”

Expectations are high in Winnipeg heading into 2025–26. The Jets, who were eliminated in six games by the Dallas Stars in last spring’s Second Round, are determined to turn a strong regular season into postseason success.

“The expectations are to play well again,” Scheifele said. “We had an unbelievable start to the season last year, which was a lot of fun and we were able to keep it going. I think the biggest thing for us is to take those expectations and use it as motivation. You want to be just as good as last year, but at the same time, it’s about winning a Stanley Cup and that’s the end goal. We didn’t get that done last year and that at the end of the day, is our biggest goal.”

To help get there, Winnipeg has reshaped its forward group. Gustav Nyquist, Tanner Pearson, and Cole Koepke were signed to add depth, while Nikolaj Ehlers, Mason Appleton, and Brandon Tanev departed in the offseason. Young forwards Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov are also expected to compete for roster spots when training camp opens.

Still, all eyes will be on Toews. His leadership, championship pedigree, and Winnipeg roots make him one of the most compelling additions in franchise history. As the Jets chase their first Stanley Cup, their hometown legend will be right in the middle of it.