Blackhawks say Toews will not return to team next season
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will not return to the team next year, ending a wildly successful run that included three Stanley Cup championships in 15 seasons
CHICAGO (AP) — Jonathan Toews took a couple of small laps and waved to the fans as they chanted “Jonny! Jonny!” He patted his heart and held his stick in the air as the crowd roared.
Toews played one last game with Chicago on Thursday, closing out a wildly successful run that included three Stanley Cup championships in 15 seasons. The captain was showered with cheers all night long as the Blackhawks lost 5-4 to the Philadelphia Flyers in their season finale.
“It's almost hard to accept that love and that praise,” Toews said. “So I tried my best to just soak it in.”
General manager Kyle Davidson announced earlier in the day that the team would not re-sign Toews, who turns 35 on April 29. The center is eligible for free agency after agreeing to an $84 million, eight-year contract extension in July 2014.
