On Tuesday morning, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that team captain Jonathan Toews will not be joining the rest of his teammates in training camp as the Winnipegger continues to deal with a medical concern which has made him experience continued feelings of sluggishness and lifelessness.
“This offseason, I’ve been experiencing symptoms that have left me feeling drained and lethargic,” the 32-year-old wrote in a lengthy news released published by the Blackhawks Tuesday. “I am working with doctors so I can better understand my condition.
Until I can get my health back to a place where I feel I can perform at an elite level and help my team, I will not be joining the Blackhawks for training camp. I do not have a timetable for when I will rejoin the team. I am extremely disappointed, but it wouldn’t be fair to myself or my teammates to attempt to play in my current condition
I am grateful for the continuous support from and ongoing communication with the Blackhawks organization. Stan Bowman, Rocky Wirtz, Danny Wirtz, Jeremy Colliton and my teammates have been nothing but understanding of my situation, and I appreciate them standing by me.
To Blackhawks fans, I will continue to do whatever I can to get back on the ice and return to play the game I love for the team I love. I will not be making any further comment at this time and ask everyone to please respect my privacy as I focus on my health and recovery.”
Already having lost youngster Kirby Dach to a broken wrist suffered at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship while playing a pre-tournament game for Canada, Chicago will now be down its captain for the foreseeable future.
“Jonathan’s health is our top priority as he deals with this medical issue,” wrote team general manager Stan Bowman in the release. “The Chicago Blackhawks organization and our medical staff will provide all necessary resources to help him return to playing hockey. While he will not report to training camp on January 3 and will be out indefinitely, we will continue to support him as he is an important part of our family. I’ve been in regular communication with Jonathan recently and will continue that as he takes care of his health.
The health and privacy of all our players is paramount to the Chicago Blackhawks organization. We care about Jonathan, and we know how badly he wants to be with his teammates competing on the ice. We will provide further updates on his status as circumstances change and do not have a timetable for his return.”
Toews, the former third overall selection from 2006, is currently entering his 14th season in the league, and is coming off two of his best years, statistically. Through 152 games over the 2018-19 and 2019-20 season, the Manitoban picked up 53 goals and 141 points. He is in the sixth year of an eight-year, $84 million deal he signed back on July 9 of 2014 with Chicago. There is no set timetable for his return.
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