Top 10 Jonathan Toews moments with the Blackhawks

Tonight will be emotional for Blackhawks nation as legendary captain Jonathan Toews makes his highly anticipated return to the United Center in what will be his first game played at the "UC" against Chicago.

Now a member of the Winnipeg Jets, Toews has broken barriers this season, making his improbable return to the NHL after missing two seasons due to illness. With seven goals and 11 assists in 47 games, Toews may be well past his prime, but he has proven he can still be a valuable player at this level at the ripe old age of 37.

Toews will be welcomed back to Chicago with open arms as the United Center atmosphere should be electric with his return to the building he made his home for 16 successful years. Jonathan made his mark during his Blackhawks tenure as one of the greatest players to ever grace the ice for this franchise.

Here are 10 of the most memorable moments from Toews' time as a Chicago Blackhawk ahead of his return.

10. The first comeback

Jonathan is no stranger to making unlikely comebacks and facing adversity throughout his career. Toews was forced to miss the shortened 2021 season due to complications with Chronic Immune Response Syndrome from long COVID. Despite this setback, Toews returned in time for the 21-22 campaign while still dealing with health issues. While Toews was clearly not the same player in his final two years as a Blackhawk, his commitment to playing through the pain was admirable. There is no quit in Johnny.

9. Last goal in last game as a Blackhawk

Having announced before the last game of the 22-23 season that the finale would be his last game as a Blackhawk, emotions were high as Chicago looked to send out Toews on a high at home vs the Philadelphia Flyers. The captain delivered by scoring his last goal as a Blackhawk in that game, which they went on to drop 4-3 in overtime (This worked out well as Chicago went on to land Bedard in the draft lottery). Very fitting that Toews got on the board in both his first and last games as a Blackhawk. Toews went on to salute the United Center faithful after the game, showing his gratitude to the Chicago fans.

8. 2014 Stadium Series highlight reel goal

The Blackhawks have historically been awful in outdoor games, posting a 1-6 record in their Winter Classic and Stadium Series appearances. Their one win in the 2014 Stadium Series, a 5-1 victory vs. Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field, was a memorable one in freezing conditions (the writer of this article can confirm nearly catching frostbite in attendance). Toews was phenomenal in said game, delivering a highlight reel goal vs goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in Bear weather.

7. Sensational goal vs Colorado in rookie year

Toews got off to a hot start in his rookie year as a Blackhawk, right away asserting himself as the franchise center Chicago believed they found with the third pick in the 2006 draft. Early on in the campaign, Toews scored a ridiculous goal vs the Colorado Avalanche in what may be the most impressive goal of his career. This moment was capped by the words of praise from the Avs' Altitude Sports broadcast team: "This is the kind of talent that can bring a franchise back from the dead." How well those words would age...

6. Two goals in 72 seconds vs Anaheim 2015 playoffs

Perhaps no dynasty era playoff series was more intense than the 2015 Western Conference Finals vs the Anaheim Ducks. Enter game five, the Blackhawks were down 4-2 late with less than two minutes left with Corey Crawford pulled. With seemingly no chance, "Tazer" defied the odds by producing two goals in 72 seconds to tie up the game and force overtime. While Chicago went on to lose the game, that moment became a turning point in the series as momentum swung their way. They went on to take games six and seven, with Captain Clutch making it possible.

5. 2014 playoff overtime winner vs Blues

The Blackhawks-Blues rivalry was lopsided in the first half of the 2010s, with this 2014 first-round playoff series the climax of said dominance. The series and game were both tied 2-2 approaching overtime of game five. Who else to insert the dagger than Toews, who went on to perform his signature forehand-backhand specialty move on the breakaway to win the game, capped by another legendary "Hawks Win!" call from Pat Foley. Chicago would go on to take the series.

4. 2010 playoff hat trick vs Vancouver

The Blackhawks' rivalry with the Vancouver Canucks in the late 2000s and early 2010s was fierce as both teams hated each other with a passion. After defeating the Canucks in the 2nd round in 2009, the two foes once again met for a rematch in the 2010 semifinals. It was this series where Toews took over, with his most dominant game coming in game four, in which he secured his first playoff hat trick, powering Chicago to victory. The Blackhawks would once again bounce the Canucks from the postseason, though they would get their revenge in 2011.

3. First goal on first shot

Toews' 2007 Blackhawks debut vs the San Jose Sharks, along with Patrick Kane, was among the most anticipated debuts in Blackhawks history. The game would not disappoint as Jonathan wasted no time announcing his arrival by scoring his first goal on his first shot in a snipe that fooled the Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov.

2. 2010 Conn Smythe trophy win

No time in his Blackhawks career was Toews more productive than during his 2010 playoff run. Toews was the heartbeat of the team in those playoffs, as his seven goals and 22 assists in 22 games led the way as they broke a 49-year Stanley Cup drought dating back to 1961. Toews was deservedly awarded the Conn Smythe trophy for his postseason heroics.

1. Toews hoists the Cup on home ice

The defining moment of the Blackhawks modern day dynasty: Toews hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head for the Blackhawks 3rd cup in six seasons in 2015. This was also the first Cup clinched on home soil since Chicago's 1938 championship, 77 years prior. Toews goes down as the winningest captain in Blackhawks history.