Toews receives standing ovation before final game with Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews got a sendoff fit for a captain.

The Chicago Blackhawks captain received a standing ovation from fans at the United Center on Thursday before his last game with the team.
Blackhawks fans were on their feet after Toews name was read during the starting lineups.
Toews saluted the crowd with his stick.

Earlier in the day,
the Blackhawks announced they would not be re-signing Toews
when his eight-year contract expires at the end of the season.
Toews has played all 15 of his NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cup Champions (2010, '13, '15), the Conn Smythe Trophy (2010) and the Selke Trophy (2013).
"Well, I mean it's overwhelming to be honest. It's hard to really receive that [ovation]," Toews said in an intermission interview with NBC Sports Chicago. "It's hard to ever feel like you deserve that. I feel like I owe so much to like I said Sharpy and the rest of my teammates over the years and to the fans…without them this isn't as special as it is. I owe so much to them and the city of Chicago. I'm just so grateful to be out there right now."
The veteran forward made sure to pay it forward before the game, donating hundreds of tickets to local youth hockey players.

Toews made the crowd go wild one more time when he scored a power play goal in the second period.

To end off the night, Toews saluted the Chicago crowd for one final goodbye.

One thing is for sure, there is some serious love between Chicago and Toews.