Jonathan Toews, the former Chicago Blackhawks captain, announced his official retirement from the NHL at a news conference in Winnipeg on Friday, closing a final season with the Winnipeg Jets after a full 82-game effort despite ongoing health and energy strugg
Jonathan Toews walked into the news conference in Winnipeg with the kind of calm that doesn’t come from a decision made quickly. When he spoke Friday, he framed retirement not as an ending he feared, but as a moment he had reached after years of uncertainty.
“ I have to say I’m satisfied, I’m fulfilled,” Toews said. “I’m so thankful and grateful for the career I had.”
He acknowledged there were parts of the choice that would be hard. especially as he moves beyond hockey in the years ahead. “There’s some aspects to it that will always be difficult — especially these next few years, I’m sure. But it’s just a kind of intuitive feel that it’s the right time. I’m happy I gave it another shot, regardless of how things went this year.”.
Toews’ last run with the Jets began as a comeback. and it culminated in an accomplishment that carried weight in a way numbers can’t fully capture. The former Blackhawks captain was able to play a full 82 games in 2025-26. That feat stood out considering the health issues he battled during his two years away from hockey and the ongoing struggles with energy and recovery during this past season.
Still, the production wasn’t what anyone in Chicago associated with Toews. He wasn’t up to his usual standard. recording 11 goals and 18 assists for a Jets team that finished on a disappointing note. For a player whose name is attached to championships and elite trophies. those games will fade fast—at least for fans who remember the bigger arc.
His career total tells the story of that arc: Toews finishes with 1,149 games played and 912 points across 15 seasons with the Hawks and one with the Jets.
He also leaves behind a hardware case that reads like a best-of-era. Toews won three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, one Selke Trophy, and one Conn Smythe Trophy.
For Blackhawks fans, the farewell had an extra layer of sweetness: the chance to see him at the United Center two more times than they’d expected. Toews returned to Chicago’s rink in January and again in March, and the ovation he received in January had to be seen to be believed.
At the same time. Toews tied those moments back to something personal he remembers from when his career was still just taking shape. In January, he recalled going to play in the world championship after his last year in college in 2007. He said the players there kept telling him what Chicago would become.
“ I went to play in the world championship after my last year in college [in 2007], and all the guys there were always like, ‘Chicago is such a great sports city. Once the team gets going, it’s going to be a great place to play,’” Toews said in January, reminiscing.
“Sure enough, that really came true within a couple years of being here. All the things lining up — and being able to take advantage of those opportunities — was all pretty special.”
There’s an irony in the way the final chapter unfolded: Toews spent this last season proving he could still put in the work—82 games. full calendar. steady commitment—while also admitting his body had its own pace to keep. Now, with retirement set, hockey will remember the championships and the trophies. And fans will remember the sound of the United Center when he came back. just once more. to remind them how much he meant there.
Jonathan Toews NHL retirement Winnipeg Jets Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cups Olympic gold medals Selke Trophy Conn Smythe Trophy