Jonathan Toews facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonathan Toews OM
Toews with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014
Born	(1988-04-29) April 29, 1988 (age 37) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
team Former teams	Free agent Chicago Blackhawks
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	3rd overall, 2006 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	2007–present

Jonathan Bryan Toews (born April 29, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a centre and is currently a free agent, meaning he can sign with any team. Toews most recently played for the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the team's captain from 2008 to 2023.

Toews is often called "Captain Serious" because of his focused playing style. The Blackhawks chose him third overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the team in 2007–08 and was a top contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL's best rookie. The next season, he became captain, making him one of the youngest captains in NHL history.

He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup three times: in 2010, 2013, and 2015. In 2010, he also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. After winning the Cup, Toews became the youngest player to join the Triple Gold Club. This special club includes players who have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship, and the Stanley Cup.

Toews has also played for Team Canada in many international tournaments. He won gold medals at the 2005 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships, the 2007 World Championships, and the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time.

Early Life and Family

Jonathan Toews was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His father, Bryan Toews, worked as an electrician at the University of Manitoba. His mother, Andrée Gilbert, was a finance expert. Jonathan speaks both French and English fluently.

His brother, David, also played hockey. His cousin, Kai Toews, is a professional basketball player.

Playing Career

Amateur Hockey Years

Toews was chosen first overall in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft by the Tri-City Americans. However, he decided to play at Shattuck-Saint Mary's, a special boarding school in Faribault, Minnesota. This choice allowed him to keep his eligibility to play NCAA college hockey. In his second season at Shattuck-Saint Mary's, he scored 110 points in 64 games.

After high school, Toews played two seasons for the University of North Dakota. He scored 85 points (40 goals and 45 assists) in 76 games. He helped his team reach the NCAA Frozen Four in both 2006 and 2007. In his second year, he was an alternate captain.

Before the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Toews was ranked as one of the top young players. The Chicago Blackhawks selected him third overall.

Chicago Blackhawks (2007–2023)

Toews playing for the Blackhawks in April 2009

Starting His NHL Journey (2007–2011)

In 2007, Toews decided to leave college early to join the Blackhawks. He signed a three-year contract. He scored his first NHL goal in his very first game on October 10, 2007. He then scored points in his first ten games, which was one of the longest streaks for a new player.

In January 2008, Toews sprained his knee and missed 16 games. Even with the injury, he led all rookies in goals. He finished second in team scoring, just behind fellow rookie Patrick Kane. Both Toews and Kane were nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie. Kane won the award, with Toews as a runner-up.

After his great first year, Toews was named team captain of the Blackhawks on July 18, 2008. He was only 20 years old, making him one of the youngest captains in NHL history. In the 2008–09 season, he was voted as a starter for the 2009 NHL All-Star Game. He scored his first career hat-trick (three goals in one game) on February 27, 2009. Toews finished the season with 69 points and helped the Blackhawks reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

In October 2009, Toews was sidelined for six games due to a head injury. In December 2009, he signed a new contract extension with the Blackhawks. On March 5, 2010, he recorded his 100th NHL assist. Toews finished the 2009–10 season with 68 points.

During the 2010 playoffs, Toews scored his second career hat-trick. On June 9, he led Chicago to win the Stanley Cup, their first championship since 1961. He became the second-youngest captain to win the Cup. Toews had 29 points in the playoffs and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. By winning the Stanley Cup, he also became the youngest player to join the Triple Gold Club.

In 2010, Toews was chosen to be on the cover of the video game NHL 11. The next season (2010–11), he scored his 100th NHL goal. He also had a career-high 76 points. The Blackhawks barely made it into the 2011 playoffs. They were down 3–0 in their first series but fought back to force a Game 7. Toews scored a tying goal late in Game 7, but the Blackhawks eventually lost in overtime. Toews was also a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the best defensive forward.

Winning More Cups (2011–2020)

Toews was supposed to play in the 2012 All-Star Game but missed it due to an injury. He returned for the 2012 playoffs. He scored an overtime winning goal in Game 5, but the Blackhawks were eliminated in Game 6.

In the shortened 2012–13 season, Toews played very well. He helped the Blackhawks win the Presidents' Trophy for having the best record in the regular season. In the 2013 playoffs, Toews led the Blackhawks to another Stanley Cup victory, their second in four seasons. He also won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the League's top defensive forward.

On October 29, 2013, Toews scored his second "natural hat-trick" (three goals in a row). The 2013–14 season was another strong year for him, with 68 points. During this time, he earned the nickname "Captain Serious." The Blackhawks made it to the Western Conference Final in the 2014 playoffs but lost in Game 7. Toews was a finalist for the Selke Trophy again.

On July 9, 2014, Toews and teammate Patrick Kane signed big eight-year contract extensions. These contracts started in 2015. In the 2015 Western Conference Final, Toews scored two goals in Game 7 to help the Blackhawks win the series. In the Finals, Toews led the Blackhawks to their third Stanley Cup championship in six seasons. He also won the Mark Messier Leadership Award for his leadership and community work. Toews also won an ESPY Award for 'Best NHL Player' in 2015 and was on the cover of NHL 16.

Toews was chosen for the 2016 All-Star Game but missed it due to illness. He also missed nine games in November 2016 due to a back injury. He was voted into the 2017 National Hockey League All-Star Game.

In the 2017–18 season, Toews' scoring went down, and the Blackhawks missed the playoffs for the first time since his rookie year. However, he worked hard in the off-season and had a great 2018–19 season, scoring a career-high 81 points.

In the 2019–20 season, which was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Toews played in all 70 games and had 60 points. He also led his team in points during the 2020 playoffs.

Later Years and Health Challenges (2020–2023)

Before the start of the 2020–21 season, the Blackhawks announced that Toews would be out indefinitely due to an illness. He missed the entire season. In June 2021, he shared that he was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) and planned to return for the next season.

In September 2021, he also revealed he had COVID-19 at some point. Despite his health challenges, Toews played his 1000th NHL game on March 31, 2022. He played 71 games that season, scoring 37 points. He was also very good at winning faceoffs.

Toews (left) battling for the puck in April 2023

Toews started the 2022–23 season well. However, his health issues returned, and he missed several weeks. On February 19, 2023, he announced he was still dealing with symptoms of long COVID and CIRS. He said he needed to step back to focus on getting healthy. Toews returned to play on April 1. On April 13, the Blackhawks announced they would not re-sign Toews after his contract ended.

On August 17, Toews shared that he was not retiring from the NHL but would take the 2023–24 season off to focus on his health.

International Play

Toews with the Canadian national men's hockey team in the 2010 Winter Olympics
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Gold	2010 Vancouver
Gold	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Gold	2007 Russia
Silver	2008 Canada
Canada Cup / World Cup
Gold	2016 Toronto
World Junior Championships
Gold	2006 Canada
Gold	2007 Sweden
Representing Canada West
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold	2005 Alberta

In 2005, Toews was captain of Canada West at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He led his team to a gold medal, scoring the winning goal in the final game. He was the top scorer in the tournament and was named MVP.

In 2006, Toews played for Canada's junior team at the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was the youngest player on the team. Canada won the gold medal.

In 2007, Toews won his second straight World Junior gold medal. In the semi-final against the United States, he scored three times in the shootout to help Canada reach the final. He led Canada in scoring and was named to the Tournament All-Star team.

Toews guards the puck during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

That same year, Toews also played for Canada's senior team at the 2007 IIHF World Championship. Canada won gold, making Toews the first Canadian to win a World Junior championship and a World Championship in the same year.

In 2008, Toews competed in his second World Championships. Canada won the silver medal after losing to Russia in the final.

On December 30, 2009, Toews was chosen to play for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He led the team with eight points. His goal opened the scoring in Canada's 3–2 overtime win in the gold medal game against the United States. He was named Best Forward and to the tournament all-star team. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, he scored the first goal in the gold medal game against Sweden. Canada won its second straight Olympic gold medal.

Personal Life

In the spring of 2010, a large mural of Toews appeared in Chicago. It showed him with the Stanley Cup, which he would win later that year.

After Toews won the Stanley Cup, his hometown of Winnipeg honored him. The Province of Manitoba named a northern lake after him, called Toews Lake. The community center where he first played hockey was also renamed the Jonathan Toews Community Centre. He was also given the Keys to the City.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005	Canada West	U17			6	8	4	12	2
2005	Canada	U18			5	5	3	8	0
2006	Canada	WJC			6	0	2	2	2
2007	Canada	WJC			6	4	3	7	12
2007	Canada	WC			9	2	5	7	6
2008	Canada	WC			9	2	3	5	8
2010	Canada	OG			7	1	7	8	2
2014	Canada	OG			6	1	2	3	0
2016	Canada	WCH			6	3	2	5	0
Junior totals					23	17	12	29	16
Senior totals					37	9	19	28	16

Awards and Achievements

Toews holds the Conn Smythe Trophy while Patrick Kane lifts the Stanley Cup in 2010.

Toews lifts the Stanley Cup during the 2013 victory parade.

Toews lifts the Stanley Cup during the 2015 victory rally.

Other Recognitions

• Second-youngest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
• Youngest player to join the Triple Gold Club.
• Became a full NHL captain after only 64 NHL games.
• One of only eight players to win Olympic gold and the Stanley Cup in the same year.
• Won the 2015 ESPY Award for 'Best NHL Player'.
• Named on the 100 Greatest NHL Players list for the NHL's 100th anniversary.
• Featured on the cover of the video games NHL 11 and NHL 16.

Images for kids

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  Toews with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014

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  Toews playing for the Blackhawks in April 2009

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  Toews during a Blackhawks practice in December 2011

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  Toews battling for the puck in April 2023

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  Toews with the Canadian national men's hockey team in the 2010 Winter Olympics

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  Toews guards the puck during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

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  Toews holds the Conn Smythe Trophy while Patrick Kane lifts the Stanley Cup in 2010.

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  Toews lifts the Stanley Cup during the 2013 victory parade.

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  Toews lifts the Stanley Cup during the 2015 victory rally.

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan Toews para niños