Jonathan Toews News: Pro Sports Daily

For Blackhawks in Vancouver, playoff toughness, forged in medal

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March 1

Chicago Tribune

"They withstood the soaring expectations of a hockey-crazed nation. They answered the hopes and dreams of a crowd screaming at the top of its lungs in a Canada Hockey Place filled to the rafters with sign-waving, cowbell-ringing citizens of a host country that wanted this as much as they did — as much as three of them anyway. After performing on arguably the biggest hockey stage of their young careers, the pressure of another deep run in the playoffs, perhaps even playing for the Stanley Cup, should equal, what, a weekend pond hockey game? The four Blackhawks in Sunday's thrilling gold-medal clash — Canadians Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook and the U.S.'s Patrick Kane, the ..."

What's on the line? Just everything

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February 28

Chicago Tribune

"There's no lack of motivation for Canada when it takes the ice Sunday against the United States. Beyond the gold medal, there's the little matter of revenge for the loss to the Americans a week ago. For the Blackhawks on the squad — Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook — it also means a chance for bragging rights over the U.S.'s Patrick Kane. "We're looking for revenge and not only that, we're playing for some real merchandise now," Toews said. "We beat some good teams to get there and so have they. It's time to lay it all on the line and make no excuses. We have to go out there and give it our best shot and really believe that we're the best team in this tournament." Thus far, ..."

Toews' star burning bright

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February 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"I took in the Canada-Russia hockey game in a bar Wednesday night, and there's a decent chance I'll never hear properly again. The biggest cause of all that noise was Jonathan Toews, who was the best player on the ice in Canada's 7-3 blowout victory. The Blackhawks forward did everything except score, and if there's a group that appreciates nuance, it's Canadian hockey fans. Toews had two beautiful assists, and he was on the line that made life miserable for Russian star Alex Ovechkin. So when Toews thought he could walk unnoticed past media members Thursday, he clearly had lost possession of his senses. He leads Canada with a plus/minus rating of plus-9, and he's tied for the team lead ..."

On Wednesday, all of the Olympic Blackhawks came out to play

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February 25

Chicago Tribune

"The United States and Canada men's hockey teams have taken different paths to the semifinals of the Olympic tournament, but the Blackhawks playing on the North American teams now have a medal in sight. "It's just a really fun experience to be a part of right now," Patrick Kane said after the U.S. defeated Switzerland 2-0 on Wednesday to advance to Friday's semifinals. "Knowing we're one of the top four teams left and competing for a medal either way. You want to be competing for the gold but I'm really happy right now for sure." Hawks teammates Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook know the feeling after they helped Canada advance to the semifinals a few hours after the Americans ..."

For Blackhawks playing in the games — no rest, not weary

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February 23

Chicago Tribune

"While their teammates have been kicking back and relaxing during the NHL's Olympic break, the six Blackhawks in Vancouver have had more on their agendas. The U.S.'s Patrick Kane, Canada's Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Slovakia's Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky have stayed in hockey shape, playing three games so far. All but Kane will be on the ice Tuesday for qualification games. With the United States' 5-3 victory over Canada on Sunday, the Americans earned an automatic berth into Wednesday's quarterfinals. The concern among fans and critics alike was that players in the Olympics would be taxed for the stretch run of the season once it resumes. Players don't appear to ..."

Coach Q sums it up: Showdown of stars is 'cool'

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February 22

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"By now the marketing geniuses in the Blackhawks' front office already have begun debating whether Sunday's money shot from Team USA's stunning 5-3 Olympic hockey victory over Canada will go on the cover of the media guide or on a T-shirt. Or both. From the Hawks' perspective, the image for the ages captured Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews wearing different uniforms and expressions as they shook hands after a game nobody will soon forget. When Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville saw Kane and Toews exchanging grips on his TV screen, he felt a little like Archie Manning watching sons Peyton and Eli hug after a Colts-Giants game. "That was a cool shot," Quenneville said on the phone from ..."

Toews just a face in Canada's crowded hockey lockerroom

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February 18

Chicago Tribune

"Playing on star-studded Team Canada has given Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews a bit of anonymity he can't find in Chicago. With international journalists surrounding Canadian stars Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla, Martin Brodeur and a host of others, Toews can almost slip into the dressing room unnoticed following practices. The 21-year-old, playing in his first Olympics, knows his role on a team that is favored to win gold in Vancouver, a team that doesn't appear to have any weaknesses. "I definitely have to be strong in my own end and responsible," Toews said. "It's going to take a special effort from every single guy if we want to go all the way. It's about working hard and coming out ..."

Toews to the rescue in Hawks' win over Thrashers

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February 14

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Blackhawks' focus wasn't as good as it should've been in their last home game before the Olympic break. They blew a two-goal lead against a team that had played the night before. Still, Jonathan Toews' magic in the shootout, coupled with a goaltending performance by Antti Niemi that was just good enough, gave the Hawks their third consecutive victory, a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Thrashers before 22,275, the biggest crowd of the season at the United Center. Toews made the difference as the only player to convert in the shootout. He's 7-for-11 on shootout tries, a big reason the Hawks are 7-5 in such games. This time his victim was Ondrej Pavelec, the goalie who led the Wolves to the ..."

Blackhawks lose 3-1 to Anaheim Ducks

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January 11

Chicago Tribune

"Amazing how the 21,000-plus at the United Center exited without incident Sunday, what with the locusts swarming, the frogs collecting in the concourses and the snow piles going from a grimy gray to blood red in a matter of hours. The Blackhawks had lost two in a row, after all. Women and children first. OK, nothing so dramatic should be derived from a lost weekend that ended in a cavalcade of missed opportunities and a 3-1 loss to the Ducks. It was merely the kind of confounding, frustrating evening that is bound to catch up to teams -- even the exalted Hawks -- and it resulted in the fifth regulation home loss all season and a bit of a down note going into a rare but welcome three-day ..."

Toews gains teammates' 'tough' love

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January 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"When push came to shove -- and shove came to punches -- Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks 21-year-old captain, stood his ground and didn't back down. And although Toews' fight against St. Louis Blues winger David Backes on Saturday won't go down as a highlight of his young career, it's something that goes a long way in the Hawks' locker room. ''I was pretty impressed by our captain,'' defenseman Duncan Keith said. ''He led by example. We were playing hard before that, but that put an exclamation point on that fact that we're not going to let them push us around.'' Toews' scuffle incited his teammates. The Hawks scored four consecutive goals after it and showed considerable poise as the Blues ..."

Hawks' Toews, Keith, Seabrook named to Canada's Olympics team

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December 31

Daily Southtown

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Canada takes 3 Hawks

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December 31

Chicago Sun-Times

"It was a no-win situation Wednesday for executive director Steve Yzerman when he announced the 23-man Team Canada roster for the Winter Olympics in February. It was, though, a monumental day for the Blackhawks. Yzerman named three Hawks to the team -- the defensive pairing of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews, a 21-year-old center who frequently has been compared to Yzerman. ''A huge accomplishment for the three of us,'' Toews said. ''We just wish our other teammate Patrick Sharp could be with us.'' Sharp was in Canada's preliminary 46-man talent pool. The selections of Keith, Seabrook and Toews still gave the Hawks five players on Olympic rosters, with Slovakia picking ..."

Hawks show their grit in shootout

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December 19

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Blackhawks found another way to win Friday. Their goaltending wasn't what it had been when the Hawks blanked their previous two opponents, but the team had enough heart to beat the Boston Bruins 5-4 in a shootout. Three times the Hawks came back to regain the lead, and even that wasn't enough to prevent their 11th overtime game and seventh shootout of the season before 21,717 fans at the United Center, the Hawks' largest crowd of the season. Kris Versteeg likened the battle to ''a tough girlfriend'' but the ending was sweet. The shootout was no contest. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane -- the Hawks' first two shooters -- converted on Boston goaltender Tim Thomas while Hawks goaltender ..."

Chicago Blackhawks win 5-4 in shootout

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December 19

Chicago Tribune

"The four Blackhawks under consideration for the Canadian Olympic team had no idea the man chiefly responsible for selecting the roster for the 2010 Winter Games was on site to get a firsthand look at them. Steve Yzerman, executive director of Team Canada, made a stop Friday night at the United Center to make one of his final evaluations of the Hawks' Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. Those players didn't disappoint Yzerman or the season-high crowd of 21,717 as they all figured in the scoring during the Hawks' 5-4 shootout victory over the Bruins. Toews scored the game-winner in the shootout and added a regulation goal. Sharp also scored while Keith and ..."

Hard-fought point

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December 19

Boston Herald

"A gallant night's work for the Bruins. Facing a Blackhawks team that would rank high on many lists of leading Stanley Cup contenders and has been playing extremely well recently, the Bruins matched the Hawks very nicely most of the night in front of 21,717 at the United Center. The Bruins ended up dropping a 5-4 decision in a shootout, as Blackhawks Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane scored, and B's shooters Patrice Bergeron and Blake Wheeler did not. But this one goes in the books as a very good point. "We hung in there," said B's coach Claude Julien. "I think you almost need a perfect game to beat these guys. We weren't perfect, but the fact we were able to score late and tie the game, the ..."

Hawks still talking about 2-hit shutout

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December 16

Chicago Sun-Times

"Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews can laugh about it now because both will be in the lineup for the Blackhawks' home game tonight against the St. Louis Blues. But that wasn't a given after the hits they took in the last game Sunday. The Tampa Bay Lightning's Matt Smaby tripped up Kane in the first period of the Hawks' 4-0 victory at the United Center, then caught Toews when he wasn't looking in the second. Kane didn't finish the game and had immediate feelings of panic. ''After I got tripped up, my stick stayed where it was and my head went right down to my stick,'' Kane said after going through practice with his teammates at Johnny's Ice House. ''I saw blood and couldn't see out of my eye, ..."

Blackhawks blank Lightning 4-0

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December 14

Chicago Tribune

"The Blackhawks' struggling offense received the boost it needed with the arrival of the Lightning to town. With 10 goals in their last seven games, the Hawks took advantage of a struggling Tampa Bay team to dominate on both ends of the ice in a 4-0 victory Sunday night at the United Center. Marian Hossa had a goal and an assist, and Patrick Kane, Ben Eager and Jonathan Toews also scored to help the Hawks improve to 20-8-3 overall and 13-3-1 at home. Antti Niemi was strong in goal, recording his third shutout in just seven starts with an 18-save effort. "We were getting goals short-handed or on the power play but not five-on-five, and finally (Sunday) we scored more and just have to keep ..."

Blackhawks eager to end scoring drought

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December 13

Chicago Tribune

"The Blackhawks' offense is like an intricate puzzle. The pieces are there, but assembling them into a composite picture has become quite the brain teaser. With only 10 non-shootout goals in their last seven games, the Hawks have dropped to 13th in the league at 2.83 goals per game. That despite the recent addition of three-time 40-goal scorer Marian Hossa to a mix that already featured All-Stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, Dustin Byfuglien and Troy Brouwer, among others. "All our top players have a lot of skill," said Brouwer, who has seven goals this season but none during the seven-game span. "They work really well together, and there's just no way this ..."

A Friday night horror show

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December 5

Chicago Sun-Times

"The magic of United Center ice wasn't a factor Friday night as the Nashville Predators seized momentum late in the first period and never looked back. The Hawks scored first but didn't light the lamp again and were defeated 4-1 before 20,887, the 65th consecutive capacity crowd at the United Center. It's a streak that started in 2007. The loss snapped an eight-game home winning streak for the Hawks (17-7-3). It was the 10th-best streak in franchise history during a single season, going back to a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 21. Despite a 15-6 advantage for the Hawks in first-period shots on goal, it was 1-1 heading into the second period. ''We got a lot of pucks,'' Hawks ..."

Blackhawks fall to Preds

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December 5

Chicago Tribune

"That feel-good vibe the Blackhawks generated with a successful circus trip, a long home winning streak and contract extensions for their three young stars is as gone as the temperate weather. The Hawks fell flat Friday night at the United Center as the Nashville Predators recorded a 4-1 victory before a crowd of 20,887. The Hawks lost at home for the first time since Oct. 21, a span of eight consecutive victories, to fall to 17-7-3 overall and 11-3-1 at home. After Jonathan Toews -- who along with teammates Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith signed long-term contract extensions Thursday -- scored a highlight-reel goal to open the scoring, it was all Predators. "It wasn't our best effort all 60 ..."

These three will stay

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December 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"Blackhawks fans should enjoy this promising young team while they can. Next year it won't be the same, but at least Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith will still be around. General manager Stan Bowman announced the long-expected signings of the three stars to lengthy contract extensions on Thursday and did his best to quell fears that the lucrative contracts they received will lead to a dismantling of the club because of NHL salary-cap restrictions. ''There's been a bit of a misconception on that,'' Bowman said. ''[The signings] really have no impact on the salary cap now because these contracts are all for next year. We can play with this team for the rest of the year, and may ..."

Blackhawks prove again they are what Bears aren't: winners

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December 4

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"What we're witnessing is an express train roaring down the track, all momentum and purpose and flying red sparks. And woe to the Red Wing or Shark or Penguin who makes the mistake of ducking under the crossing gate to beat it. The Blackhawks marched Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith up to a dais Thursday at the United Center. They looked fresh-faced, at home and rich. Very rich. This was the news conference to announce contract extensions for the three stars, even though word of the deals began to leak out two weeks ago. Still, old news is good news. Keith, a defenseman, received a 13-year, $72 million extension. Fast friends and fast forwards Toews and Kane signed identical ..."

Deals with stars likely to cause movement next season

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December 4

Chicago Tribune

"Negotiating contract extensions for the Blackhawks' three top young stars meant many long days and nights for general manager Stan Bowman. Faced with the nuances of the NHL's salary cap and collective bargaining agreement, including the complicated "tagging room" clause, Bowman and his hockey operations crew had to work overtime to lock up Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. "Me and Chevy (assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff) have spent a lot of time talking to the league, and we've gotten our pencils and pens out and done some numbers crunching," Bowman said. "It's not simple; it's a complicated formula and it takes time.""

It's official: Chicago Blackhawks lock up top young stars

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December 4

Chicago Tribune

"The Blackhawks' present and long-term future sat three across on a dais Thursday at the United Center. Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane met the media after officially signing contract extensions that should keep the nucleus of the Hawks together for at least the next half-decade. "We made a decision that these are guys we want to go forward with," general manager Stan Bowman said. "They've brought a lot of great hockey to Chicago and we want to commit to them. You have to pick the guys you think are the foundation for your team. We have no doubt that these three guys are part of that group." Toews and Kane, both 21, agreed to identical five-year extensions worth a reported ..."

These three will stay

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December 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"Blackhawks fans should enjoy this promising young team while they can. Next year it won't be the same, but at least Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith will still be around. General manager Stan Bowman announced the long-expected signings of the three stars to lengthy contract extensions on Thursday and did his best to quell fears that the lucrative contracts they received will lead to a dismantling of the club because of NHL salary-cap restrictions. ''There's been a bit of a misconception on that,'' Bowman said. ''[The signings] really have no impact on the salary cap now because these contracts are all for next year. We can play with this team for the rest of the year, and may ..."

Hawks make signature moves

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December 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"It's rare when a team announces the signing of several stars at the same time, but the Blackhawks will do it today. A source within the organization said the Hawks finally will announce the long-term contract extensions for stars Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith at a 2 p.m. news conference at the United Center. General manager Stan Bowman has been negotiating with the representatives of all three players since the end of last season. All three would've become restricted free agents after this season, meaning they could entertain offers from other teams, but the Hawks would have the right to match. All three, though, wanted to remain with the Hawks, and Kane and Toews requested ..."

Trio of young Blackhawks locked up in long-term deals

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December 3

Chicago Tribune

"The final details of their contract extensions have been ironed out, and that means Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith are officially Blackhawks for a long time. The Hawks will have a news conference on Thursday to announce the signings of the trio of young stars, who were set to become unrestricted free agents after the season. The Tribune first reported on Nov. 17 that Kane, Toews and Keith all would sign extensions at the same time, establishing a core group of players to solidify the franchise's future. After two weeks of tweaking and salary-cap manipulations, Hawks general manager Stan Bowman completed identical five-year deals for forwards Kane and Toews worth a reported ..."

Blackhawks lose 2-1 in shootout

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November 29

Chicago Tribune

"The disappointment of a shootout defeat to the Kings on Saturday night to conclude their six-game road trip didn't overshadow the Blackhawks' overall sense of accomplishment. The Hawks fell 2-1 in a shootout to Los Angeles at the Staples Center, but the point they earned gave them nine of a possible 12 on the annual circus trip. They finished the trip 4-1-1 and return home with a 16-6-3 record overall and 6-4-2 on the road. "We're just happy we gave ourselves a chance to win there," said Jonathan Toews, who scored the Hawks' goal during a strong third-period team effort. "It was a bit of a slow start. We didn't get it done early on. We're not going to say we're satisfied, but all in all ..."

Hossa experiences no ill-affects in 2nd game back

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November 28

Chicago Tribune

"Marian Hossa's second game with the Blackhawks didn't quite match the success of his first. Hossa and the Hawks were shut down Friday in their 3-0 loss to the Ducks at the Honda Center. The veteran winger, who scored two goals Wednesday night in the Hawks' 7-2 victory over the Sharks in his debut following offseason shoulder surgery, had three shots on goal in 19 minutes, 12 seconds of ice time against the Ducks. "They were a little bit quicker on us and we didn't have as much time maybe as in San Jose," said Hossa, who again was on a line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. "It was a tougher game definitely. I felt my legs were there, but I didn't have as many pucks on my stick as the ..."

Ducks blank Blackhawks 3-0

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November 28

Chicago Tribune

"That tremor emanating from Southern California was the Blackhawks tumbling to earth. The Hawks yielded three power-play goals for the first time this season and had their eight-game winning streak snapped as the Ducks recorded a 3-0 victory Friday at the Honda Center. The comedown after the biggest victory of the season Wednesday night against the Sharks led to the Hawks' first loss on their six-game trip that concludes Saturday night against the Kings. They fell to 16-6-2 and 6-4-1 on the road and failed to match the franchise record of nine consecutive victories, set last season. "Obviously, a little bit of a letdown," Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "We just didn't play the way we ..."

Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews playing well since return from concussion

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November 24

Chicago Tribune

"Jonathan Toews hasn't been the same player since suffering a concussion in late October that caused him to miss six games. The Blackhawks' captain has been better. Before being sidelined from a hard, open-ice check from the Canucks' Willie Mitchell on Oct. 21, Toews had one goal and four assists in the first nine games of the season as the Hawks opened 5-3-1. In his absence, his teammates managed to stay afloat with a 3-2-1 mark. And in what is nowhere near a coincidence, the Hawks have won all seven of their games since Toews returned Nov. 9, including Sunday's 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Antti Niemi (30 saves) outdueled Roberto Luongo as the Hawks improved to 3-0 on their ..."

Blackhawks play down retribution angle

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November 22

Chicago Tribune

"Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks will renew acquaintances Sunday night with the Canucks' Willie Mitchell in the teams' first meeting since the defenseman crunched the Hawks captain with a check that caused a concussion and sidelined him for six games. "I'm not looking for any retribution," Toews said. "I want to play a great game and show them something like that isn't going to change the way I play." The Oct. 21 hit at center ice was considered clean, but it upset many of the Hawks and afterward several indicated they would remember it the next time the teams played. Coach Joel Quenneville doesn't expect his team to respond drastically. "Our priority will be to win the hockey game and ..."

Blackhawks top Oilers 5-2

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November 22

Chicago Tribune

"In a Blackhawks locker room filled with young, enthusiastic players who aren't afraid to make a little noise, veteran goaltender Cristobal Huet goes about his business quietly. It might have been a bit too quiet at the beginning of the season as Huet struggled out of the gate with a 2-2-1 record and 3.25 goals-against average. It was then that the man from St. Martin D'Heres, France, got a little feisty. "Maybe playing with more grit and more passion is something I needed to do," said Huet, who back-stopped the Hawks to their sixth consecutive victory Saturday night in a 5-2 win over the Oilers at Rexall Place. "Teams are throwing bodies up there and you don't want to back down. You want ..."

Salary cap could delay signing of Toews, Kane and Keith

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November 21

Chicago Tribune

"Something happened en route to the Blackhawks' announcement of the contract extensions of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. By all accounts, the deals appear to be done. Toews and Kane are reported to have agreed to five-year contracts worth a bit more than $6 million per season and Keith for 13 years worth a little less than $6 million per season. Certainly the Hawks, with all their marketing savvy, can't wait to make a splash in the media with the news that their Big Three will be around for a long time. The players themselves have acknowledged they're not going anywhere and want the deals done sooner rather than later so the situation doesn't develop into a distraction ..."

Hawks using the same sign language

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November 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"It's no secret that Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman wants to sign Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith to long-term contracts before they become restricted free agents after this season. The Hawks still would have the right to match offers any of the three might receive from other clubs if that happened, but all three strongly stated after practice Tuesday that they want to remain with the Hawks for the long term. Recent published reports even suggested their signings are imminent, but that might be wishful thinking on the part of both the players and the team. There was no sign of signings after the workout Tuesday. ''I guess there's a little bit of a rumor out there,'' ..."

Just few loose ends remain on 3 Chicago Blackhawks extensions

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November 18

Chicago Tribune

"From their first Prospects Camp in the summer of 2007, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have experienced just about everything in their Blackhawks careers together. Now that the young forwards are poised to sign contract extensions, fittingly they likely will do so at the same time. With just some loose ends to tie up, Toews and Kane are expected to sign five-year deals worth $6 million annually, according to TSN in Canada. Defenseman Duncan Keith will sign a 13-year deal, also according to TSN, for less money annually. Thus the club will keep the potential restricted free agents long term. "It's nicer to get it done all at the same time rather than one guy and then another and then maybe ..."

Hawks set to sign Kane, Toews, Keith to new contracts

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November 17

Chicago Tribune

"The Blackhawks are set to sign young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to contract extensions, a source close to the organization confirmed Monday. The announcement of the signing of the forwards, both restricted free agents after the season, is expected in the next day or two before the team leaves for a 10-day, six-game trip beginning Thursday night in Calgary. In addition, the Hawks are said to be near an agreement with defenseman Duncan Keith, and the team could announce all three signings as early as Tuesday. There has been much speculation that the Hawks would not be able to sign the players because of salary-cap concerns for the 2010-11 season, but general manager Stan Bowman ..."

A triumphant return

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November 10

Chicago Sun-Times

"Apparently all it took to get the Blackhawks' power play working was the return of Jonathan Toews. The team captain returned from a six-game layoff to recover from a concussion and was on the ice for two third-period goals with the man advantage. Toews scored the second of the two, and they led to a solid 4-1 victory Monday over the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center. Until the third-period explosion, the Hawks had converted on three of their previous 33 power plays, a streak stretching back to the Oct. 15. It was 1-1 when Troy Brouwer scored on the first power play 93 seconds into the third period. Toews' goal followed at 5:04, thanks to a good bounce off the boards. ''I was coming ..."

Blackhawks beat Kings 4-1

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November 10

Chicago Tribune

"First the Blackhawks welcomed Jonathan Toews and Ben Eager back to the lineup, and then they welcomed their power play back from whatever abyss it had sunk into. Sparked by the return of their captain, who missed nearly three weeks with a concussion, the Hawks played a solid game in all aspects as they defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Monday night at the United Center. The Hawks got two goals with a man advantage, including one by Toews, in the third period to break open a close game and improve their record to 9-5-2 in front of a crowd of 20,293. Troy Brouwer had a goal and two assists, and John Madden and Andrew Ebbett also scored. Goaltender Cristobal Huet made 17 saves to record ..."

Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews, Ben Eager return from concussions

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November 10

Chicago Tribune

"Jonathan Toews' long wait finally ended. So did Ben Eager's even longer wait. The Blackhawks forwards returned Monday night after recovering from concussions. Toews missed six games after taking a crunching check from the Canucks' Willie Mitchell on Oct. 21. "I thought I might only be (out) a couple of games," said Toews, who scored his second goal of the season in the third period of the Hawks' 4-1 victory over the Kings. "It just kept dragging out. You feel like you're very close to being 100 percent, but you know with any tiny, little symptom, it's not good to go out there and try and play through it. You don't know what you're risking. "It was hard, it was depressing and especially ..."

Toews, Eager look ready to return; Bolland still iffy

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November 9

Chicago Sun-Times

"It wasn't a done deal after practice Sunday, but Jonathan Toews and Ben Eager are poised to return to the Blackhawks' lineup for the game tonight against the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center. Dave Bolland is another matter. The second-line center couldn't skate with the team for the second consecutive day because of his chronically sore back. Coach Joel Quenneville said Bolland is ''still day-to-day,'' but shutting him down for either a lengthy rest or surgery is looming as an option. ''We'll see. That's not where we're at right now,'' Quenneville said. Kris Versteeg again would move from wing to center if Bolland can't play. Toews, who has missed six games while recovering from a ..."

Toews back on ice for Chicago Blackhawks

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November 5

Chicago Tribune

"It has been a frustrating couple of weeks for Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks' captain has had to sit and wait rather impatiently while he recovers from a concussion that caused him to miss four games. The wait could be at an end as the center returned to the ice Wednesday for the first time since theCanucks' Willie Mitchell crunched him at center ice on Oct. 21. Toews joined his Hawks teammates as they practiced at Jobing.com Arena in preparation for Thursday night's game against the Coyotes. "It was frustrating to be out as long as I was," Toews said. "I feel good and I feel confident out there. I don't feel like I'm missing a step yet. The legs are little heavy (Wednesday) but it only ..."

Toews stays off the ice

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November 3

Daily Southtown

"The Blackhawks always have maintained that Jonathan Toews is ''day to day'' with concussion-like symptoms, but he still hasn't returned to the ice. He missed practice Monday at the United Center, and if he misses the next workout Wednesday in Phoenix, he'll have been off the ice for two weeks since he absorbed a thunderous hit Oct. 21 from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Willie Mitchell. ''Every day you're hopeful he can get on the ice and be part of it,'' coach Joel Quenneville said. The Hawks face the Coyotes on Thursday and the Colorado Avalanche on Friday in Denver. Quenneville had predicted that Toews' injury would be ''short term,'' but two weeks might be stretching that a bit and ..."

Hawks optimistic Toews' injury still day-to-day

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November 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Blackhawks always have maintained that Jonathan Toews is ''day-to-day'' with concussion-like symptoms, but he still hasn't returned to the ice. He missed practice Monday at the United Center, and if he misses the next workout Wednesday in Phoenix, he'll have been off the ice for two weeks since he absorbed a thunderous hit from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Willie Mitchell on Oct. 21. ''Every day you're hopeful he can get on the ice and be part of it,'' coach Joel Quenneville said. The Hawks face the Coyotes on Thursday and the Colorado Avalanche on Friday in Denver. Quenneville had predicted that Toews' injury would be ''short term,'' but two weeks might be stretching that a bit and ..."

Injury issues coming to head

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November 3

Chicago Tribune

"It has been a little more than four years since Keith Primeau played his final game in the NHL. It was Oct. 25, 2005, when Primeau, playing for the Flyers, took a hit from the Canadiens' Alexander Perezhogin and suffered a concussion. It was not the first concussion Primeau had endured during his 15 years in the league, but it was the last as it forced the three-time 30-goal scorer and two-time NHL All-Star into early retirement. It was an injury from which Primeau still hasn't fully recovered. So it pained Primeau to see the video of Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews struggling to get to his skates and falling before he reached the bench after a crunching open-ice hit from the Canucks' ..."

Toews, Seabrook could miss next 2 games

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October 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"Chances are good that if Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook can't practice with the Blackhawks today, they'll sit out another two games. The two stars took hard hits in the loss to the Vancouver Canucks last Wednesday and haven't been on the ice since. Though the Hawks attribute their absence to only ''upper body injuries,'' both are being treated for concussion-like symptoms. They attended the 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Monday at the United Center but were unavailable for interviews. ''Right now, they're not doing much,'' coach Joel Quenneville said. ''They'll tell us what to do, how they're feeling. They're day-to-day.'' Quenneville said a decision on their availability for ..."

Slow going for Toews, Seabrook

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October 27

Daily Herald

"Concussions are tricky things as the Blackhawks are finding out with Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook. Toews and Seabrook missed their second straight game Monday as a result of the concussion-like symptoms they suffered from hits last week against Vancouver. While coach Joel Quenneville is hopeful one or both of his stars can return later this week, it sounded as if Toews and Seabrook weren't progressing as well Monday as the team said they were over the weekend. "Right now they're not doing much," Quenneville said. Toews and Seabrook must pass physical tests mandated by the NHL for concussions before they can play again. "Both days (Saturday and Monday) we came in here game day with a ..."

Seabrook, Toews iffy for tonight's game vs. Wild

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October 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews remained off the ice at the Blackhawks' workout Sunday, and it's unlikely they'll play tonight against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. Both are nursing concussion-like symptoms after taking hits in the loss Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Coach Joel Quenneville continues to hope that either or both will be back tonight. ''We'll see how they present in the morning,'' Quenneville said. ''There's a chance they could play, and we're seeing progress. They're very comparable in where they're at. [Toews] presents better one day; Brent presents better the next.''"

Shout-out for shutout

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October 25

Chicago Sun-Times

"Center Jonathan Toews and defenseman Brent Seabrook played in all 82 regular-season games last season and were big reasons the Hawks amassed 104 points and advanced to the Western Conference finals. Things didn't look promising with both players sitting out Saturday with concussion-like symptoms, but the Hawks did just fine without them. Cristobal Huet stopped all 27 shots he faced in posting his first shutout of the season, a 2-0 victory against the Nashville Predators before another sellout crowd at the United Center. The result enabled the Hawks to end a two-game home skid, but it was an even bigger victory for Huet because it silenced the boo-birds who were getting louder and louder ..."

Chicago Blackhawk Brent Seabrook's ironman streak ends at 223

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October 25

Chicago Tribune

"The Blackhawks' defensive unit was without the services of one of its steadiest players for the first time in nearly three years Saturday night. Brent Seabrook had his streak of 223 consecutive regular-season games snapped when he didn't suit up against the Predators at the United Center. Seabrook was injured during the third period of the Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Canucks. Along with captain Jonathan Toews, Seabrook left in the third period of that game with what are believed to be concussions. Both are questionable for Monday night's game against the Wild. Seabrook hadn't missed a game since Dec. 17, 2006, against the Avalanche due to back spasms. He had held the longest streak by any ..."