Jonathan Toews returns after two years, gets huge welcome

Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews. James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

Jonathan Toews returns to NHL after two years, gets huge welcome in Winnipeg

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 12:00 AM ET

After sitting out the previous two seasons and looking like his NHL career was over, three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews made his return to the NHL on Thursday night as a member of his hometown Winnipeg Jets. Toews, who is from Manitoba, had spent the first 15 years of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks where he was the centerpiece of their mini-dynasty in the early 2010s.

The Jets are hoping he can recapture some of that magic and bring much-needed championship experience to their roster.

He was held off the scoresheet in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, logging 18:19 minutes of ice-time and recording one shot on goal.

Jonathan Toews gets huge welcome in Winnipeg debut

Even though Toews is new to the Jets' roster, he is still a huge star in Winnipeg. Not only for the fact that he is from there, but also because he has represented Team Canada on an international level and been a hockey superstar across the country.

When he was introduced as part of the team's home-opener on Thursday, he got one of the loudest and biggest ovations of the pregame ceremony.

From Winnipeg, Manitoba, No. 19, JONATHAN TOEWS! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/vE43AEFwSk
— NHL (@NHL) October 10, 2025

At his peak in Chicago, Toews was one of the best two-way players in the NHL, combining shutdown defense with top-line scoring ability. As he got toward the end of his career, however, his effectiveness rapidly declined. It will be interesting to see what he still has left in the tank this season, not only as a 37-year-old forward, but also one who has not played NHL hockey since the 2022-23 season.

The Jets are hoping to be a serious Stanley Cup contender in the Western Conference. Toews is one of their biggest offseason additions. They need him to still able to contribute something, because as exciting as moments like these were for the fans, this season is not about the local kid returning home. It is about competing for a championship.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

More must-reads: