Toews honoured to play for hometown team

WINNIPEG - For years, Jonathan Toews has gone head-to-head with Adam Lowry as the Jets top defensive centreman was in charge of shutting down a sure-fire Hall of Famer whenever Winnipeg faced the Chicago Blackhawks.

That matchup will only happen at Jets practice as Toews made his official debut wearing a Winnipeg jersey at a news conference Friday afternoon at Canada Life Centre.

“He’s one of those guys that he can go out there and as you’ve seen in the playoffs, score big goals and make big plays and drive his team in any way that he can. There’s a reason he’s the captain. He’s a big part of this locker room,” said Toews.

“I had a good conversation with him over the phone too. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him as a person. You definitely appreciate what a guy like him can do and how difficult it is to go up against him. So, it will be nice to be part of that locker room with him and join forces this time around.”

During the news conference, Jets head coach Scott Arniel had a big smile on his face. Arniel and the Jets will have the benefit of a three-time Stanley Cup winner walking into the Winnipeg dressing room and the experience that comes with adding someone who has played 1067 games.

“It really is unbelievable. The respect I have for him from watching him up in the city here a long time. Him coming through here and then obviously turning pro and winning everywhere he’s been. Mark and Chevy we talked a month ago about the chance to have him,” said Arniel.

“Shortly thereafter I talked to every player on the team, all of our leadership. It was unanimous, everybody feels the exact same way that I do: it will be a big benefit for us both on the ice and off the ice. I’m so excited here just through free agency, I mean, there’s a lot of names at the top of the list of who is a free agent, but I’d like to think we got the best one.”

Toews and the Jets made the announcement that the local kid from St. Vital was coming home back on June 20, but it wasn’t official until July 1. It’s a one-year incentive laden deal with a 2-million-dollar base salary and additional 5 million in bonuses. Clearly, Toews had other suitors but the chance to play with the Presidents’ Trophy winners and come back home was something he couldn’t say no to.

“It wasn't something where you write down the pros and cons on a piece of paper. To me it wasn't rational at all. It was more of an intuitive thing where it just felt right,” said Toews.

“You can go over the million reasons why, but I didn't have to call my mom or dad or my brother, anyone really. I just knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to do, so it felt good every step of the way. I'm really excited to be a part of it."

The 37-year-old has missed the last two seasons dealing with Chronic Immune Response Syndrome. The time away from the game has only increased his love for hockey and made him grateful for the chance to hopefully end his career on his terms.

“I’m just happy to get the chance to play hockey again and just have that energy and that enthusiasm. Knowing that regardless, we all retire at some point,” said Toews.

“Who knows when that will be, but for now, I get to go out and put this sweater on and be part of this team and just enjoy all the good and maybe the not so good of what it takes to be an NHL hockey player and knowing that the time is limited for all of us. Just really connecting with that childhood passion again is really important.”

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff doesn’t think this is a gamble but rather an opportunity. Cheveldayoff also doesn’t want to get into whether the hole at 2C has been filled with the addition of Toews.

“This game here, athletes that do hold themselves that do hold themselves to a different level of accountability can do great things. But I think it’s going to take some time,” said Cheveldayoff.

“I think the biggest thing for us – everyone says second line centre, third line centre, fourth line centre – in this game today, I don’t really know that if someone says definite a second-line centre…for me, the way the lines get structured, it’s who goes over the boards first, who goes over the boards second, who goes over third, how are they matching up, how are they making other players better.”

The NHL schedule has yet to be released but with the Olympic break being three weeks, it will be even more compressed than last season. Even though Toews has been skating for a while now, the subject of load management could be had between the coach and one of the new additions.

“All I know is that he’s been training like crazy and going hard. Another phone call, he was asking about what kind of independent off ice testing we do when it comes to training camp,” said Arniel.

“He’s so driven and wants to make a great impression, I think he’s just the type of guy who knows his body, as you’ve heard, he monitors it well. For us, that’s not really my department. He’s a guy that’s so excited to get started.”

While the date that Toews will make his Jets debut at Canada Life Centre has not yet been revealed, the former Blackhawk touched on what it will be like wearing a Jets jersey and skating out in front of a packed arena.

“I always wanted to make my family and friends and the people I've grown up with proud and try and put on a show when I come back here, and I think it will be even more so. In a way, it might be something to temper a little bit,” said Toews.

“To get that out of my head. Obviously, early in the season, I think it's just going to be what it is, to put out that extra energy and that extra jump and adrenaline and all that. But at some point, it will be good to put that out of my mind and treat every game as the next game and just get the rhythm.”