Jets’ Jonathan Toews to play first NHL game in over 900 days
The time has come for one of the most anticipated returns in recent memory.
On Thursday night, the Winnipeg Jets will open their 2025-26 season against the Dallas Stars. With that, the hockey world will get to see forward Jonathan Toews dress for his hometown, appearing in his first NHL game in 910 days.
Jonathan Toews is playing tonight.
He says the nerves haven’t kicked in yet, but he’s sure that they will ahead of puck drop as he debuts for his hometown team. #NHLJets pic.twitter.com/MKDzbA6OIp
There were concerns about whether Toews was going to be good to go for the season opener. The 37-year-old reportedly tweaked something during the Jets’ preseason game against the Minnesota Wild on Sept. 30. He didn’t play for the remainder of the preseason and was listed as an injured, non-roster player when the team released its opening-night roster earlier this week.
When talking to the media after the morning skate, Jets head coach Scott Arniel was asked whether he had any special words of encouragement for the three-time Stanley Cup champion.
“His resume is a lot better than my resume,” Arniel said. “We’re done talking. Now he’s got to just go play.”
The last time fans saw Toews take to the ice in a regular-season NHL game was on April 13, 2023, while captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. The veteran took time away from the game to address health-related problems that reportedly had been plaguing the Winnipeg native.
Everyone has been excited to see Toews in action, as he announced his intentions of returning to the NHL last summer, leading to him signing a one-year contract with the defending Presidents’ Trophy winners. The deal carries a cap hit of $2 million, but an AAV of $7 million thanks to a possible $5 million in performance bonuses.
In 1.067 games, Toews has scored 372 goals and 511 assists for 883 points, with another 119 points in 137 playoff games. He helped the Hawks win three Stanley Cups, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010. He also won the Selke Trophy in 2013, as well as the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2014-15.