Three-time Stanley Cup winner likely set to retire

Jonathan Toews. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Three-time Stanley Cup winner likely heading toward retirement

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jul 12, 2023 7:00 PM ET

When the Chicago Blackhawks and longtime captain Jonathan Toews parted ways in April, it seemed like the 35-year-old forward was closing the book on his NHL career.

While nothing is official until Toews files the appropriate paperwork with the NHL, all signs point to the former No. 3 overall pick calling it a career after his name was not included in the list of free-agent players sent to the league by CAA, the agency that represents Toews, prior to July 1.

When CAA agency sent its list of free agents to NHL teams prior to July 1, the list excluded client Jonathan Toews.
It does not sound, at this time, like he will play next season. Final decision not yet made. https://t.co/gGtFZcgUlM
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) July 7, 2023

As pointed out by @SportsnetSpec and @The1Tab, CAA did not list Jonathan Toews as an available free agent client this summer.

Of course nothing is official until it’s official, but that’s probably a sign of the end.#Blackhawks
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 12, 2023

A multi-time NHL All-Star, Toews had quite the 15-year run in Chicago. He scored 372 goals and 883 points over 1,067 games while winning three Stanley Cup championships, two Olympic gold medals, a World Cup of Hockey gold medal, a Conn Smythe award and a Selke Trophy.

Toews was named the Blackhawks captain 2008, when he was the third-youngest player in the NHL to be named a team captain. His 15-year captaincy is the longest in franchise history.

Among the Blackhawks all-time records, Toews ranks third in game-winning goals (69), fifth in postseason goals (45) and postseason points (119), sixth in goals and points, seventh in power-play goals (93) and eighth in assists (262). The Winnipeg native is a surefire Hall of Famer.

Toews likely could continue playing if he wanted. While his time as a top-line center is in the rearview (he scored just 15 goals and 31 points last season), he could have been a serviceable bottom-six center on a team looking to compete for a Stanley Cup. Instead, Toews retires having only played for the Blackhawks, which is exactly what fans would have wanted.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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