Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is out indefinitely while dealing with an undisclosed illness.
“In this off-season, I have been experiencing symptoms that left me exhausted and lethargic,” Toews said in a team statement. “I am working with doctors to better understand my condition.
“Until I get my health back to a point where I feel I can perform at an elite level and help my team, I will not be joining the Blackhawks for the training camp. I don’t have a schedule for when I get back on the team. I am extremely disappointed, but it would not be fair for me or my teammates to try to play in my current condition. “
Toews thanked the Blackhawks’ technical staff, front office and property for their understanding and then addressed the fans.
“For Blackhawks fans, I will continue to do everything I can to get back on the ice and play the game I love again, for the team I love,” he said. “I will not make any further comments at this time and I ask everyone to respect my privacy while focusing on my health and recovery.”
Toews’s problem is the latest blow to a team that was already in the middle of a reconstruction project, but lost two young players who should have been a big part of it. Now one of your veteran stars is missing.
Toews has been the centerpiece of three Stanley Cup winning teams in Chicago. The 32-year-old had 60 points from 70 games last season. He had at least 50 points in all seasons except one in his 13-year career and had 81 best points in 2019-20.
On Monday, the Blackhawks announced that former draft number 3 Kirby Dach will lose four to five months after breaking his wrist playing for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships. He underwent surgery.
Striker Alex Nylander injured his knee in the playoffs last season and was operated on after experiencing discomfort when skating before this season. He will be gone for four to six months.
Toews, along with his remaining World Cup teammates, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, are mentoring the youngest players on the team. Seabrook is coming out of his own health problems, however. He missed most of last season and underwent surgery on his hips and right shoulder.
It would be a very different Blackhawks team, even without injuries. Cup winner goalkeeper Corey Crawford was not rehired during the off-season. The Blackhawks are giving young goalkeepers Collin Delia, Malcolm Subban and Kevin Lankinen a chance. In addition, the team traded striker Brandon Saad for Avalanche for young defender Nikita Zadorov.
Chicago finished last in the Central Division last season, but reached the playoffs with the modified rules of the COVID-19. The Blackhawks defeated the Edmonton Oilers in qualifying, in which Toews led the team with seven points from four games. Chicago was then eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.