Jonathan Toews is leaving the NHL to focus on health

Kristen ShiltonESPN NHL reporterAug 17, 2023, 05:42 AM2 Minute Reading

Jonathan Toews says he’s leaving hockey — but not for good.

The former Chicago Blackhawks captain — and current unrestricted free agent — announced in a social media post Thursday that while he is “not completely retiring” from the NHL, he is “taking some time away from game again this season.”

“I cannot deny my love for the game of hockey and still feel motivated to compete at my highest level,” Toews posted on Instagram. “However, these last few times have been very difficult considering my health challenges. My focus is to give myself the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest. – again.”

Toews, 35, was limited to just 53 games last season — scoring 15 goals and 31 points — due to a health setback midway through the season. At the time, Toews said he had “no choice but to step back and concentrate on getting healthy” in the final season of his eight-year, $84 million contract.

That raises questions about Toews’ future in Chicago — or anywhere else — for the foreseeable future. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson didn’t wait long after Chicago’s season ended in April to confirm that Toews’ deal, which made him a UFA on July 1, would not be renewed.

Toews spent all of his 15 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks after they drafted him third overall in 2006. He served as team captain from 2008 to 2023 and was part of three Stanley Cup championship run in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He left the organization with 372 goals and 883 points in 1067 career games.

He was still one of the top centers in the league when, in late December 2020, Chicago revealed that its captain would be out indefinitely while dealing with an undisclosed illness. Toews missed the entire COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign before announcing in June 2021 that he had been diagnosed with chronic immune response syndrome and would return for the 2021-22 season.

Subsequent antibody testing also showed Toews carried the COVID-19 virus at some point. That would later lead him to slowly develop symptoms of COVID.

“Along the way, I’ve met a lot of people who are struggling with health issues related to long-term COVID … and other cases that are quite complicated,” Toews said in his post. “I now know the importance of one day sharing the details of my health journey with everyone.”

Toews made another social media missive early Thursday, thanking the Blackhawks organization and fans for their support during his years with the team.

“It’s hard to find words to describe the 16-year journey that made this city my home,” Toews said. “… It’s true to witness and be a part of the revival of hockey in Chicago.

“To all of you, I say THANK YOU. You made my time here in Chicago unforgettable.”