Toews ranks sixth in goals (372) and points (883) and is eighth in assists (511) in Blackhawks history and fifth in games played (1,067). His 137 playoff games rank second, and he’s fifth with 119 postseason points. He won gold with Canada at the Olympics twice (2010, 2014).
“Obviously the last few years have been extremely difficult,” Toews said. “So, I guess in a way I kind of feel prepared for this moment. More nervous than I thought I would be but the transition is challenging for any player who’s moving on from the game. When you’re heading into the unknown a little bit, your whole life has kind of been structured and predictable from one year to the next, it’s not easy.
“Sometimes I catch myself wishing things could’ve done differently and I could’ve finished my career on a different note these last five years or so, but truth be told I’m grateful for the struggle and the learning experiences I’ve been through. Ironically, I feel I’ve learned so much more about myself and about life through the low points than I ever did when my career was at its highs.”
Jets captain Adam Lowry said Toews should be remembered as a winner.
“I think he’s going to go down as one of the best two-way centremen, especially in the last generation,” Lowry said. “All of us were fortunate to grow up watching him and then play against him and then get the opportunity to play with him. … Three Stanley Cups (with Chicago), Olympic gold, Conn Smythe. He did it all. He’s a winner, he’s a leader. I think if you look back on his career, that’s the thing that sticks out. He won at every level, every team he played on. He was the guy they’d look to in big moments to deliver big results.”
NHL.com independent correspondent Darrin Bauming contributed to this report