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Jonathan Toews set for emotional return to Chicago
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Photo credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Evan Waldner
Jan 19, 2026, 01:48 ESTUpdated: Jan 19, 2026, 02:10 EST
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Monday night in the Windy City will undoubtedly be an emotional one for Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks fans, and hockey fans around the globe as he makes his first return to the United Center, but this time, not in red, white, and black.
At this point, we all know, unless you’ve been living under a rock, Toews’ remarkable comeback story. After stepping away from professional hockey following the 2022-23 season after revealing he was battling long COVID and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), Toews spent about five weeks in India undergoing an Ayurvedic detox program called Panchakarma. The traditional healing protocol, aimed at cleansing the body and resetting inflammation and immune system function, played a major role in his recovery. This season, he returned to the NHL with his hometown Winnipeg Jets after missing two full years.
“I’ve been thinking about it, especially since Kaner (Patrick Kane) went back and scored the overtime winner,” Toews said in an interview. “I’m excited to go back. It’s going to be strange, happy and sad at the same time. Obviously, life goes on, but I’m happy to be right where I am right now and definitely very thankful for the years I got to spend there.”
Toews already had his reunion with longtime teammate Patrick Kane, now 37, on New Year’s Eve in Detroit, where Kane has been part of the Red Wings organization for three seasons.
“The send-off from the fans (after the final game in Chicago) was completely unexpected on my end,” Toews said. “I’m so thankful to have played in a city like that with hockey fans like that, where we won championships. It exceeded so many expectations. No one really knew how crazy it would be.”
Drafted third overall by the Blackhawks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Toews spent 15 seasons with the organization. During that time, he captured three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015), a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP (2010), and a Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward (2013).
“You talk to guys who go their entire career without winning in the playoffs and then finally win the Stanley Cup at the end of their career,” Toews said. “Obviously, there’s some serious contrast there. I don’t want to say we didn’t appreciate it, but it was all happening so fast too, and we just made the best of it while we could.”
Known as “Captain Serious,” Toews served as the Blackhawks’ captain from 2008-23. He was named captain before the 2008-09 season, becoming the youngest captain in franchise history at just 20 years old.
He already faced Chicago at Canada Life Centre on Oct. 30, but returning to the United Center will hit much differently with the entire arena on its feet.
“I’ll be excited to go play and just relive some of that this week,” the Winnipeg product said. “At the end of the night, the old hockey interview answer is we’re going in there to get two points. We’re trending as a team right now, so it’ll be a fun one to go get a win in that building.”
Through 1,114 career games, Toews has recorded 379 goals and 522 assists for 901 points, with 18 of those points (7G, 11A) coming with the Jets so far this season.
Toews, along with Kane, were the two players who really got me invested in hockey back in 2015, when I seriously started following the NHL for the first time. It just so happened to be during Chicago’s dynasty run, capped off by another Stanley Cup that spring. I remember noticing Toews’ ability in the faceoff circle and his elite two-way game, which quickly made him one of my favourite players. Learning he was a Winnipeg product from my dad only made that connection stronger.
May 25, 2015, Game 5 of the Western Conference Final between the Anaheim Ducks and Blackhawks, stands out the most. Toews scored two goals in 72 seconds in the final two minutes to force overtime. Anaheim eventually won 5-4 in OT to take a 3-2 series lead, but it was still a defining “Tazer” moment my eight-year-old self witnessed from my basement couch, probably wearing a Jets Evander Kane T-shirt my dad got me, for some reason.
Toews’ return to Chicago on Monday night will be extremely special for me as well. Yes, I was a Hawks fan before becoming Jets-obsessed, but it all worked out in the end. The Winnipeg boy is finally home, and returning to the city where he built a dynasty and spent essentially his entire career: the Windy City.

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