Jonathan Toews will not play in this year’s NHL season.
But the Chicago Blackhawks icon isn’t giving up either.
“I still have the passion to play at the highest level,” the 35-year-old wrote in an Instagram post.
Toews accounted for 31 points in 53 games this past season.
But in February, he announced that he would be taking a break from hockey for the rest of the season as he was experiencing post-coronavirus symptoms.
I can’t see the end yet
By April, he was back in action to complete the remainder of the season. The 35-year-old Canadian was on an expired contract, which started speculation as to whether he would end his career after the season.
But he has not made any such announcement yet. Instead, take another break from hockey. He announced this in an Instagram post published on Thursday.
“I want to announce that I am not going to quit completely, but I will be taking a break from the sport during this season. I cannot deny my love for the sport and I still have the passion to play at the highest level”Toews writes.
1/2Photo: Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP
“The last few seasons have been tough.”
The Blackhawks icon, who struggled with COVID-19 in 2020 that led to him missing the entire 20/21 season, says the past few seasons have been tough on him.
“The past few seasons have been challenging considering my health challenges. I am now focused on giving myself the time and space to fully recover and enjoy life to the fullest again.”
In his 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toews earned 883 points in 1,067 games. In addition, he can boast of three Stanley Cup titles.
He is currently without a club.