Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks will soon go their separate ways.
The team revealed its decision not to re-sign the team captain, resulting in Toews in Chicago, in Thursday night’s regular season finale, being ejected.
After missing time due to chronic immune response syndrome and prolonged COVID, the 34-year-old rejoined the team in early April.
Thursday will mark the end of Toews’ 15th season in the league. He has not publicly mentioned his retirement.
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Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks waits for a faceoff during the third period of a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on January 24, 2023 in Vancouver. (Derek Cain/Getty Images)
«I’ve had several conversations with Jonathan throughout the season about his future with the Blackhawks, and we recently had the difficult conversation that we won’t be re-signing him this offseason,» Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. a declaration.
«Tonight will be his last game as a Blackhawk, and it was very important to us to be able to provide the proper send-off for Jonathan and our fans.»
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The Blackhawks will welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to the United Center on Thursday night. Chicago defeated Philadelphia in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, and Toews received playoff MVP honors.
Toews entered the 2022-23 season in the final year of his eight-year, $84 million contract. In the 53 games he has played this season he has registered 14 goals and 16 assists.
After a series of conversations, Davidson said he told Toews of the decision while the team was in Seattle last week. The general manager also said he had spoken with CEO Danny Wirtz, the son of Blackhawks president Rocky Wirtz, about the move.
Jonathan Toews attends the Chicago Stanley Cup Parade on June 18, 2015 in Chicago. (Timothy Hiatt/Wire Image)
«Danny and Rocky talked to Jonathan, not about this, just to remember what they’ve been through and experienced and just to show that respect and share the memories that were made together,» Davidson said. «So when you go from someone like Jonathan Toews, they have to be involved. They have to be, given the status and the stature of the player.»
The Blackhawks selected Toews with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft. He became team captain when he was just 20 years old in July 2008.
Toews became an integral part of the 2010, 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup champion teams. In 1,066 regular season games, Toews has 371 goals and 511 assists. In 139 career playoff games, he has scored 45 goals and 74 assists.
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«He’s done so much for this organization, and no matter where he plays next, we’re excited for our fans to have the opportunity to show Jonathan exactly how much he means to them,» Davidson said in his statement.
Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the United Center on February 21, 2023 in Chicago. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Last month, Toews prioritized her long-term health and her ability to lead a «normal life.» He also mentioned that he wants to end his term in Chicago on a high note.
«I definitely have in mind that this could be my last few weeks here as Blackhawk in Chicago,» Toews said last month. «It’s definitely very important for me to go out there and enjoy the game and just soak it up and really appreciate all that I’ve been able to be a part of here in Chicago.»
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The Blackhawks have fallen on hard times. The franchise is among the worst teams in the NHL this year and is in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and a chance to take Connor Bedard.
Associated Press contributed to this report.