Patrick Kane on Jonathan Toews’ NHL Return
In a recent interview with ESPN, Patrick Kane expressed his enthusiasm for the return of his longtime friend and former Chicago Blackhawks teammate, Jonathan Toews, to the NHL. Toews, now 37, has been absent from the league since his final game in April 2023, when the Blackhawks opted not to renew his contract. His last couple of seasons were marred by health issues, including chronic inflammatory response syndrome and complications from COVID-19. Now, with the Winnipeg Jets, Toews is embarking on a one-year journey to revive his career with his hometown team.
“I think it’s awesome. Obviously with what he’s been through, to be able to put himself in a position to come back and be feeling good, I think that’s the most important thing,” Kane stated, acknowledging the significance of Toews’ comeback for the league, the Jets, and Toews’ personal life.
Toews’ Journey to Recovery
After parting ways with the Blackhawks, Toews took time off from hockey, describing his decision as not a full retirement but rather a necessary step to heal and rediscover joy in life. In November 2024, he revealed on social media that he had embarked on a five-week journey in India for health recovery, noting that his treatments were yielding positive results.
“It’s been almost 5 years of searching for a way to heal the inflammatory and immune system issues that took me out of hockey,” he shared on Instagram.
Kane’s Continued Friendship with Toews
Kane, who is now gearing up for his third season with the Detroit Red Wings, highlighted that his friendship with Toews remains strong despite their separate paths.
“We talk quite a bit. He came to Chicago about a month ago, so I was able to see him there. Even obviously with him not playing the last couple of years, he’s been great — just keeping in touch and reaching out after a game every now and then. Always nice to hear from him,” Kane explained.
Reflections on Their Shared History
Reflecting on their shared history, Kane noted how strange it is to transition from seeing teammates daily for many years to becoming more distant as they pursue different careers.
“It’s funny how your paths kind of change, right? You’re seeing each other every day for 17 years, and then all of a sudden, you kind of go your separate ways,” he said, mentioning the significant impact of similar experiences with other past teammates.
Future Speculations
As Toews prepares for this new chapter, speculation arises about whether Kane might consider a return to Buffalo, his own hometown, in the future, much like Toews.
“You know what? I feel like I’ve been pretty fortunate with the franchises that I’ve played for. Chicago. New York was a great experience, even though it didn’t work as well as I’d hoped. Now, Detroit,” Kane reflected on his journey. “I mean, I’ve really, really enjoyed my time there. It’s been a great place to kind of revive my career and play in a good situation and be on a team that’s on the rise.”
