In the spotlight during the Winnipeg Jets’ season opener against Dallas was Jonathan Toews, a Winnipeg native who received a warm welcome from the sold-out crowd. Toews, aged 37, played his 1,068th career regular-season game after a hiatus of two seasons due to health issues. Despite a 5-4 loss, Toews expressed gratitude for the crowd’s energy and excitement.
Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and former Chicago Blackhawks captain, missed the previous seasons due to health concerns related to chronic inflammatory response syndrome and long COVID-19. Playing alongside Gustav Nyquist and Nikita Chibrikov on the second line, Toews acknowledged areas for improvement in his game, particularly in faceoffs and creating scoring opportunities.
Jets coach Scott Arniel noted Toews’s gradual adaptation to the game as the match progressed, praising his increased involvement in the second period. While Arniel acknowledged the team’s overall performance was lacking, he highlighted Toews’s efforts to contribute positively to the game.
Opponents from the Dallas Stars, including Mikko Rantanen and coach Glen Gulutzan, commended Toews for his return to NHL action. Rantanen expressed happiness at seeing a player of Toews’s caliber back on the ice, while Gulutzan admired Toews’s physical presence and skill despite the extended break from competitive play.