The former UND star hasn’t played in two seasons due to health issues.
Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
GRAND FORKS — Former UND star Jonathan Toews will make his return to hockey with his hometown team.
Toews is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 1, the opening of free agency.
The news was first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and TSN’s Pierre LeBrun on Friday morning. It was confirmed by the Jets.
“I’m grateful to be making my return to the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets,” Toews said. “It’s very special to come home and play in front of my family and friends in Manitoba. The Jets have been on the rise over the last few seasons and I’m eager to join the group and help however I can.”
Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said: “We are excited to add a proven winner like Jonathan Toews to the Winnipeg Jets. It will be a unique opportunity for Jonathan to play for his hometown team. His talent, drive and experience will be a great complement to our club. We will withhold further comment until July 1.”
Toews, 37, has spent his entire professional career with the Chicago Blackhawks, who he captained to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
Toews last played in April 2023.
He sat out the last two seasons dealing with health issues stemming from longterm COVID effects.
Toews spent five weeks in India undergoing a detox.
Toews has played in 1,067 regular-season NHL games, tallying 372 goals, 511 assists and 883 points.
He ranks fourth among all former UND players in NHL games (behind James Patrick, Craig Ludwig and Zach Parise), second in goals (behind Parise), first in assists and second in points (behind Parise).
Toews played at UND from 2005-07, helping the program to back-to-back NCAA Frozen Fours.
The 6-foot-2 center is one of Winnipeg’s most decorated hockey players. The Dakota Community Centre in south Winnipeg was renamed the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex after he won the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2010.
He also was given a key to the city by the mayor during a Stanley Cup parade in Winnipeg in 2010.
Toews announced earlier this year that he was committed to a return to hockey in the fall of 2025. He has been working out in Arizona with skating coach Boris Dorozhenko.
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at [email protected].
