Toews, Hjalmarsson reunite with Kane at Blackhawks practice facility

CHICAGO – As Patrick Kane prepared to play at United Center for the first time since re-signing with the Chicago Blackhawks, he was catching up with some old friends at the team’s practice facility.

Former captain Jonathan Toews and former defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson were at Blackhawks Ice Center prior to the Blackhawks’ game against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; BN+, STLNHL, CHSN).
 
Toews greeted Kane as he came off the ice following morning skate and later joined Kane in the dressing room. Toews also talked with forward Connor Bedard, who is coming back from left shoulder surgery he had in July after sustaining an injury at a training session in Vancouver on July 2.

Hjalmarsson came into the dressing room with his sons Theo and Oliver. Hjalmarsson shook hands with defenseman Alex Vlasic and caught up with the Blackhawks’ television crew before joining Kane and Toews for a pregame chat.

Kane, Toews and Hjalmarsson were key parts of the Blackhawks’ glory days, the three helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. All three debuted with the Blackhawks in 2007-08.
 
Kane signed a two-year, $16 million contract ($8 million average annual value) with the Blackhawks on July 23.
 
Toews was the Blackhawks captain from 2008-23 when Chicago did not re-sign him. After missing two NHL seasons due to health issues, Toews played last season with his hometown Winnipeg Jets. He announced his retirement in April.
 
“It’s obviously good to see guys like that,” said Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill. “I don’t know either of them great. I spent a little bit of time down there with Jonathan but obviously great, great Blackhawks.”
 
Hjalmarsson spent the final four seasons of his NHL career with the Arizona Coyotes, who acquired him from the Blackhawks for defenseman Connor Murphy on June 23, 2017. He retired from the NHL following the 2020-21 season.
 
There will be a lot of nostalgic feelings when Kane takes to the ice with the Blackhawks on Tuesday. Some of that was rekindled with his former teammates in the morning.