The focus was on Jonathan Toews as the Winnipeg Jets hit the ice for their season debut against Dallas on Thursday evening. The Winnipeg-native Toews was greeted with a spirited ovation from the capacity crowd during player introductions.
Reflecting on the warm reception, Toews expressed, “Just a lot of energy, a lot of excitement. I’m just trying to contain myself there.” The 37-year-old center, playing his first NHL game since April 13, 2023, with the Chicago Blackhawks, saw 18:19 of ice time in his 1,068th career regular-season game with the Jets, registering one shot on goal in their 5-4 defeat.
A three-time Stanley Cup winner and former captain of the Chicago team, Toews had been absent from the past two seasons due to health issues linked to chronic inflammatory response syndrome and long-lasting COVID-19 effects. Toews mentioned feeling “close” to being in top form and was positioned on the second line alongside Gustav Nyquist and Nikita Chibrikov.
Regarding his performance, Toews acknowledged areas for enhancement, stating, “But a lot of room for improvement, a lot of little things I can do better.” He highlighted the need to initiate plays from faceoffs and expressed optimism about creating scoring opportunities.
Jets coach Scott Arniel observed growth in Toews’s play during the game, particularly in the second period, despite a challenging overall performance by the team. Arniel recognized the tough start but emphasized the potential for improvement moving forward.
The return of Toews to NHL action was well-received by both his teammates and opponents. Dallas Stars’ Mikko Rantanen praised Toews’s comeback, emphasizing its positive impact on the league. Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan commended Toews’s skill and physical presence on the ice, highlighting his enduring quality as a top player in the league.