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Jonathan Toews gets emotional as Winnipeg Jets crowd welcomes him back to his first NHL game in years

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Joshua Deeds
October 9, 2025 (8:45 PM)

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Former Chicago Blackhawks captain and current Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews received an unexpected reaction as the Canada Life Centre roared with excitement.

Three-time Stanley Cup champion and Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews hasn't stepped foot on the ice until tonight.

A total of 910 days absent from NHL ice, and skated out to the Canada Life Centre's crowd.

The reaction was unexpected since it was so loud.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba-born forward received an epic welcome:

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Jonathan Toews sets foot on the ice for the first time in nearly 3 years.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion, who was originally a 3rd-overall draft pick in 2006, has played 1,067 games during his career.

In that time frame, he's scored 883 points (372-511) and has, until now, suited up for only the Chicago Blackhawks.

He'd go on hiatus in 2023, where he'd work on improving his health enough to return to the ice. And fast-forward to 2024-25, we'd see his progress on social media.

November 21, 2024:

«I've had many ups and downs, brief moments of hope working with a whole bunch of different doctors and modalities, followed by doubting if things would ever improve,» Toews wrote Thursday. «But I recently spent five weeks in India undergoing an Ayurvedic detox called a Panchakarma, and I'm happy to say things are trending.

«It's been almost five years of searching for a way to heal the inflammatory and immune system issues that took me out of hockey. The wisdom of Ayurveda has taught me that everything I experience, I am responsible for. Not only did it teach me better diet choices specific to my body type, it has deepened my intuitive relationship with myself and the world around me.»

There were multiple teams speculated to be interested in the veteran forward, who is now a 2C for the Jets.

He'd sign a contract with the hometown team, the Winnipeg Jets, for a one-year term, paying him $2 million AAV, signed on July 1st, 2025.

Now, the hometown kid has received the biggest welcome back he could've had in a jersey never worn before. Will this be a magical season for Toews?

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Jonathan Toews' return against the Blackhawks is sooner than you think

Chicago Blackhawks receive major reinforcement to their lineup ahead of game against Bruins on Thursday

Ex-Blackhawks fan favourite set to break franchise payroll with future contract extension

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OCTOBRE 9 \| 151 ANSWERS Jonathan Toews gets emotional as Winnipeg Jets crowd welcomes him back to his first NHL game in years Will forward Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets make it to the playoffs?
Yes	132	87.4 %
No	19	12.6 %
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Jonathan Toews gets emotional as Winnipeg Jets crowd welcomes him back to his first NHL game in years

Former Chicago Blackhawks captain and current Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews received an unexpected reaction as the Canada Life Centre roared with excitement.

Jonathan Toews sets foot on the ice for the first time in nearly 3 years.

Will forward Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets make it to the playoffs?