Jonathan Toews was the center of attention as the Winnipeg Jets hit the ice for their season opener against Dallas on Thursday night. The Winnipeg-native received a raucous ovation from the packed arena upon his introduction.
Expressing his thoughts on the warm reception from the fans, Toews described it as brimming with energy and excitement, stating, “Just a lot of energy, a lot of excitement. I’m just trying to contain myself there.”
The 37-year-old, returning to NHL action after his last game with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 13, 2023, played his 1,068th regular-season game, clocking 18:19 of ice time. Despite the Jets’ 5-4 loss, Toews managed one shot on goal.
A three-time Stanley Cup winner and former Chicago captain, Toews had been absent from the game for the past two seasons due to health issues related to chronic inflammatory response syndrome and long-lasting effects of COVID-19.
Feeling that he was nearing game-ready form, Toews took to the ice alongside Gustav Nyquist and Nikita Chibrikov on the second line. Reflecting on his performance, Toews acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in starting plays from faceoffs and creating more scoring opportunities.
Jets coach Scott Arniel noted that like the rest of the team, it took time for Toews to find his rhythm during the game. Arniel observed positive developments in Toews’ gameplay in the second period, noting increased puck possession and offensive contributions.
Players from the Dallas Stars, including Mikko Rantanen and coach Glen Gulutzan, commended Toews on his comeback effort, expressing joy at seeing a player of his caliber back in action. Gulutzan remarked on Toews’ enduring skill and physical presence on the ice despite the extended hiatus from competitive play.