Jonathan Toews just retired, but how long should the Chicago Blackhawks wait to retire No. 19?

The Chicago Blackhawks have retired only eight numbers, honoring nine players. Historically, except for all-time leading scorer Stan Mikita, the franchise has made iconic players wait years, and even decades, before seeing their number in the rafters.

Now that former captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews has retired, the question on many fans' minds has shifted from "if" to "when" the Blackhawks will retire No. 19.

Blackhawks have historically taken their time with jersey retirements

As mentioned, Mikita became the first player ever to have his jersey, No. 21, retired in Chicago, with his banner raised to the top of Chicago Stadium on Oct. 19, 1980, months after he retired following a 22-year career.

Next, Mikita’s long-time teammate Bobby Hull, who wore No. 9, joined the group with a retirement ceremony on Dec. 18, 1983, 11 years after his last game with the Blackhawks, and just three years after his final NHL game.

Soon, two goalies, both Hall of Famers, Glenn Hall and Tony Esposito, joined Mikita and Hull, with their jerseys, No. 1 and No. 35, retired on Nov. 20, 1988. At the time, Hall hadn’t played with the club in 19 years, and Esposito was only four seasons into retirement.

Ten years later, on Mar. 19, 1998, Denis Savard expanded the list of retired numbers when his No. 18 went to the rafters. He had two tours with the Blackhawks from 1980-1990 and 1995-1997, and less than one year after his last NHL game, the club retired his number.

Oddly, another decade would pass before Keith Magnuson and Pierre Pilote would share a dual jersey retirement ceremony, when Chicago raised No. 3 on Nov. 12, 2008.

Magnuson played with the Blackhawks from 1969-80, waiting 28 years for his chance, while Pilote, a three-time Norris Trophy winner, played from 1955-1968, waiting exactly 40 years for the honor.

Finally, Chicago has retired two numbers this decade, with Marian Hossa (Nov. 20, 2022) and Chris Chelios (Feb. 24, 2024) becoming the newest members of this elite group.

Of course, Chelios is one of the greatest players in franchise history, but he waited 25 years for his jersey retirement ceremony, including 15 years after he played his last NHL game. Meanwhile, Hossa, who was an important player during the Blackhawks' three Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013, and 2015, waited only five years following his retirement.

Why Toews' case is different from previous Blackhawks greats

Right now, among players with a number retired, only Hossa has won more than one Stanley Cup with the organization. He wasn’t even the star of the recent dynasty, as many would say that Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, or Toews were the beginning, middle, and end of that special period in team history.

Meanwhile, Toews is the only player in Blackhawks history to captain the team to multiple Stanley Cup Final appearances and the only three-time champion with a “C” on his sweater.

There’s no denying the achievements of all the players who have retired numbers, especially those of Mikita, Hull, and Esposito, who had legendary stays with the club. Moreover, Chelios and Pilote are multi-time Norris Trophy winners as the league’s best defensemen.

Despite not being as offensively minded as his teammates, Toews was “Captain Serious” and still ranks sixth all-time in franchise history with 883 points in 1,067 games. He was an NHL All-Rookie, plus a Selke and Messier Leadership Award winner, plus took home the Conn Smythe when Chicago won their first title in 49 years in 2010.

As a member of the NHL’s 100th Anniversary Team, Toews will go into the Hockey Hall of Fame on the first ballot, thanks in part to his status as a member of hockey’s Triple Gold Club, with a resume featuring two Olympic gold medals and a World Championship.

Of course, the Blackhawks could wait until Toews is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2029 and hold a nice tie-in ceremony to honor his career and legacy along with his induction. However, if they waited that long, it would feel like a disservice to his 15 years in Chicago and would be a shame for the franchise to delay honoring their longest-serving captain.

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