Jonathan Toews

Lore & Background

Toews competed internationally for Canada national teams and won gold medals at the 2005 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships, 2007 World Championships, 2010 Winter Olympics (a tournament in which he was named best forward) and 2014 Winter Olympics. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.

In Their Own Story

The arena was silent, save for the rhythmic slap of skates on ice. Jonathan Toews stood at center, the number 19 jersey slightly frayed from a season of battles. He looked up, not at the scoreboard, but at the crest on his chest. The weight of forty-nine years of drought had once been heavy, but now it was just fuel. As the puck dropped for the face-off against the rival, he didn't think about the pain in his ankle or the years of recovery; he thought only of the moment. He won the draw, a sharp pass to the wing, and the roar of the United Center began again.

Reader's Guide

Toews was selected first overall in the 2003 WHL Bantam draft by the Tri-City Americans, but chose instead to play midget AAA hockey at Shattuck-Saint Mary's during the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons. He played two seasons at the University of North Dakota, compiling 85 points (40 goals and 45 assists) in 76 games. He helped UND reach the NCAA Frozen Four in both 2006 and 2007. He was drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2006. He debuted with the Blackhawks in 2007–08, scoring his first NHL goal on his first shot in his first game. He was named team captain on July 18, 2008. He won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015, and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010.

Did You Know?

• Toews was nicknamed "Captain Serious".
• He is bilingual, speaking English and some French.
• His cousin Kai Toews is a professional basketball player.
• He was the cover player for EA Sports' video game NHL 11.