2023-08-17 16:36:00
It seems like a page is finally turning in Chicago.
Captain Jonathan Toews wrote a goodbye text to the Blackhawks organization on his Instagram account.
“It’s hard to find the words to describe a 16-year adventure that has made this city my home. (…) To all of you, THANK YOU. You made my time in Chicago unforgettable. »
It is therefore following 16 seasons in the Hawks uniform that Toews leaves the formation. General manager Kyle Davidson confirmed at the end of last season that the team was not going to offer its captain a new deal. The contract for number 19 expired on July 1. He had been carrying an average of $10.5 million with him since 2014.
In 15 seasons with the Blackhawks, the Winnipeg native scored 372 goals and 883 points in 1,067 games. He missed the 2020-21 season due to illness.
The 34-year-old center helped Chicago win three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
He was also the recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy, awarded to the playoff MVP, in 2010, when the Hawks ended a 49-year drought. He also won the Frank-J.-Selke trophy, awarded to the best defensive forward, in 2013, as well as the Mark-Messier award, awarded to the player who demonstrated the most leadership, in 2015.
The Franco-Manitoban was selected by the Hawks third overall in the 2006 NHL Draft. They made him their captain when Toews was only 20 years old.
His departure, combined with that of star player Patrick Kane at the March 3 NHL trade deadline, means the end of an era for the Hawks.
The Blackhawks have been in all sorts of trouble over the past few seasons, missing the playoffs in five of the last six seasons. They end the 2022-23 campaign with a 26-49-7 record and 59 points.
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