Welcome to LWOS Hockey’s summer series, Call to the Hall, where we take a look at the next great player from each NHL franchise to get called to the Hockey Hall of Fame. There are a few caveats, the player must be active, and must have played 300 games (or 150 for goaltenders) with the franchise.
Check out the previous Call to the Hall articles HERE.
Call to the Hall: Chicago Blackhawks
Sports fans constantly banter about terms like “role model” and “character” when they talk about their favorite athletes. The reality is that athletes, like any of us, are flawed. Sometimes, however, an athlete comes along who walks into his or her destiny with a comfort and humility that quietly shatters expectations. Records, achievements, and championships are accessories to inherent will and ability.
Jonathan Toews
Toews, at 27 years old, is an automatic Hall of Famer; but his performance on and off the ice begs a couple of questions. How good can one hockey player be? And is Jonathan Toews’ excellence a reflection of personal character, or just a result of his natural ability?
Some answers can be found from the people who know his abilities best. His father, Bryan Toews, knew that his son had an aptitude for hockey at an early age:
“Jonathan could see things you’d show him and then go right out there and do them much better than I’d describe them. I remember I had him on the lake when he was four. He had such a natural stride. I remember several parents coming up to me and asking, ‘How old is that kid?’”
In 2009 Team Canada Coach Mike Babcock saw something very special developing before his eyes:
“To me, the guy you build the franchise around is the Toews kid. He’s a will machine. He just keeps coming and keeps coming.”
On his way to his third Stanley Cup Blackhawks’ Coach Joel Quenneville commented on Toews’ leadership:
“He’s an amazing person,’’ Quenneville said after Toews finished off the Anaheim Ducks with five goals in the final four games. “An amazing hockey player. The bigger the stage, the bigger the setup, he just seems to excel in big moments, big stages. It shows he’s as good a leader as there is in any sport.’’
In 2005, Toews captained Canada West at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge to a gold medal. Toews went on to win two World Junior championships with Canada in 2006 and 2007. After the 2007 victory, Toews became the first Canadian to win a World Junior championship and a World Championship in the same year. He has won two gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014. And, of course, Toews has led the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015. He also owns a Conn Smythe from 2010 and a Selke Trophy from 2013.
Ok. So how does such a great player and leader become even better? Toews provides more clues to solving the mystery of mastery:
“That’s maybe something that I’ve learned to step outside of my own world a little bit as I’ve gone along in my career. I think when you have control of your own game and what makes you a successful hockey player and successful person you’re able to kind of widen your focus and understand your teammates a little bit more. That’s something I definitely need to learn a lot more about. Understand the dynamic of the locker room. It’s no simple thing. You continue to try and learn every day. Try to understand what your teammates go through, especially some guys who are going through tough times,” he said.
“Whether it’s being on the ice or guys who aren’t playing, especially throughout the playoffs you try and lend a hand and pick those guys up as well. That’s definitely part of being a captain. Showing that understanding to all those guys in the locker room.”
One very special thing about the Stanley Cup is the tradition that allows every player one day with the Cup. Jonathan Toews, considered by many the greatest hockey player in the world, spent a good portion of his day with the Cup with some children in his hometown of Winnipeg. Early in the day he spent some time with kids and their parents at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children.
Jonathan Toews visited the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation in Winnipeg with the #StanleyCup. #OCaptain pic.twitter.com/RcrIPUBKSr
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 10, 2015
Later on he played street hockey with local Winnipeg kids.
Playing road hockey with a #StanleyCup champion…priceless! #BecauseItsTheCup @NHLBlackhawks @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/fd5J0zqLL9
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 10, 2015
Jonathan Toews has a long career ahead of him. He really has nothing more to prove on the ice. The only question that remains is how long he can sustain such an incredible level of excellence. He has placed the hockey hopes of teams, cities, and even countries on his shoulders. He continues to deliver their dreams. Here’s to one of sports’ greatest leaders, a Hall of Famer – and a role model. In the 2010 Olympics after one of Canada’s games, coach Mike Babcock was asked whom he thought his best players were that night. “Anyone who plays with Jonathan Toews,” responded Babcock.
Follow the leader.
Follow the leader. #OCaptain pic.twitter.com/lYK1fSERN8
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 10, 2015
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