Ex-Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews plans return to NHL

After a two-year hiatus, former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is planning to play in the NHL next season.

Toews, 37, informed his agent Pat Brisson that he is committed to embark on a comeback attempt. Brisson confirmed the news to multiple media outlets on Thursday.

"Yes, 100 percent. Johnny is feeling great and we're moving forward," Brisson told NHL.com via text.

Toews is considered a free agent and can negotiate with any of the league's 32 teams immediately. The NHL free agency period opens July 1.

Toews led Chicago to three Stanley Cup titles (2009-10, 2012-13, 2014-15) over a six-year span. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2009-10 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba also competed on Team Canada in gold-medal winning efforts in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.

But Toews stepped off the ice in February 2023, suffering the effects of Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and long COVID, and has not returned to action.

Chicago made the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons (2009-17) during Toews' 15-year tenure, but has not reached the postseason since the 2019-20 campaign.

Toews has 372 goals and 511 assists in 1,067 games. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 draft was selected as one of the NHL's top 100 players from its first 100 seasons.

--Field Level Media