Toews' Storied Career Ends
Jonathan Toews Retires After 16 Seasons, Concluding Storied NHL Career With Three Stanley Cups.
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Key Points
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Winnipeg Jets scheduled a closed-media/limited-access press conference at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex (St. Vital) for 11 a.m. CT on Friday, and CTV News Winnipeg said it will stream the event at 11 a.m.
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TSN’s Darren Dreger, posting on X, wrote: “I expect Jonathan Toews will officially announce his retirement tomorrow,” adding “Hand in hand with the [Winnipeg] Jets. What a career.”
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During April end-of-season availability, Toews said he was open to playing again, telling reporters: “One hundred per cent if they’ll have me… That being said, if I decide to play next year, I’d love to be part of this group again, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
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Bleacher Report noted that the health problems began affecting his career in 2020: Toews sat out the entire 2020-21 campaign before returning for two more seasons with Chicago.
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Beyond the Conn Smythe mention, Bleacher Report added specific award details: Toews took home the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy after leading all skaters with 22 assists in 22 playoff games, and he also won the 2013 Selke Trophy and the player-voted Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2015.
Jonathan Toews is expected to officially announce his retirement from the NHL on Friday morning, ending a 17-year career that brought three Stanley Cups to Chicago and a storybook homecoming to Winnipeg. TSN's Darren Dreger posted on X: "I expect Jonathan Toews will officially announce his retirement tomorrow. Hand in hand with the Jets. What a career."
The press conference is set for 11 a.m. CT at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex in St. Vital — the arena that already bears his name. CTV News confirmed it will stream the event live. Toews finishes with 1,149 career games, 383 goals, 529 assists, and 912 points across 17 NHL seasons.
A Two-Year Health Battle That Almost Ended Everything
Toews first stepped away from hockey in December 2020, citing a mysterious illness later identified as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) — a multi-system immune condition — along with Long COVID. He sat out the entire 2020-21 season. Bleacher Report noted the illness caused extreme fatigue and an immune system "crash" that made playing impossible.
His recovery included unconventional treatments, among them a five-week Ayurvedic detox in India. He played his final game for Chicago on April 13, 2023, then went two full seasons without NHL hockey. He described it as a "healing journey." In June 2025, he signed a one-year, $2 million base contract with his hometown Winnipeg Jets.
Toews Plays All 82 Games in His Winnipeg Homecoming
Toews made his Jets debut on October 9, 2025, and never missed a game. He finished the 2025-26 regular season having played all 82 games — one of only five Jets to do so — recording 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points. His offensive numbers were modest, but his faceoff work was elite: he posted a 62.1% win rate, the best in the NHL among centers with at least 800 draws, The Hockey News reported.
At his end-of-season media availability in April, Toews left the door open. "One hundred per cent if they'll have me," he told reporters when asked about returning. He added that if he played again, he would want it to be in Winnipeg. His contract reached a total payout of $7 million due to "games played" incentive bonuses, according to Illegal Curve.
Three Cups, Two Gold Medals, and a Hall of Fame Legacy
Toews captained Chicago to Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015. In the 2010 playoffs, he led all skaters with 22 assists in 22 games and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He also won the 2013 Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward and the 2015 Mark Messier Leadership Award, voted on by players, Bleacher Report noted.
Off the ice, he won Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014, making him a member of the Triple Gold Club — a player who has won the Stanley Cup, a World Championship, and an Olympic gold medal. He played 137 career playoff games and scored 119 points. He is widely seen as a first-ballot Hall of Fame lock once eligible.
Masterton Finalist and What Comes Next for Toews
The NHL named Toews one of three finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in May 2026. The award goes to the player who best shows perseverance and dedication to hockey. His nomination recognized his comeback from a debilitating chronic illness. CTV News reported that his return gave hope to Long COVID patients across Canada.
With Toews retiring, the Jets lose a veteran center and a penalty-kill presence. His $2 million base salary was modest for a player of his stature. Rumors from ca.headtopics.com suggest the Jets may offer him a role in hockey operations or player development — a path followed by peers like Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic. Friday's press conference is expected to focus on his gratitude and his future in Manitoba.
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