In the season opener against Dallas, all eyes were on Jonathan Toews as he stepped onto the ice with the Winnipeg Jets. The Winnipeg native was met with an enthusiastic welcome from the packed arena as he made his return to the NHL after playing his last game in April 2023 with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Toews, now 37 years old and a three-time Stanley Cup champion, had a modest performance in the Jets’ 5-4 loss, registering one shot on goal in his 1,068th career regular-season game. Having battled health issues related to chronic inflammatory response syndrome and long COVID-19, Toews expressed gratitude for being back on the ice.
Playing alongside Gustav Nyquist and Nikita Chibrikov on the second line, Toews acknowledged areas for improvement in his game, particularly in faceoffs and offensive plays. Despite the loss, Jets coach Scott Arniel noted Toews’ growing impact during the game, emphasizing the team’s collective need to elevate their performance.
Both players and coaches from the Dallas Stars praised Toews for his comeback, highlighting his presence as a positive for the league and expressing admiration for his skill and resilience. Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan commended Toews for his strong play despite the extended break from competitive hockey.