Blackhawks C Toews Dealing With Long COVID-19 Symptoms

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews announced Sunday that he is dealing with prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 and chronic immune response syndrome.

Toews has not played since January 28th. The Blackhawks placed the 34-year-old center on injured reserve Wednesday with what they said was a non-COVID-19-related illness.

“It was really hard playing through these symptoms,” Toyos said in a statement released by the team. “In the past few weeks, I’ve gotten to a point where I had no choice but to step back and focus on getting healthy. I’m grateful for the patience and support of my teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire Blackhawks organization.”

Teews missed the 2020-21 season with what he described as chronic immune response syndrome.

Toews spent his entire professional career with Chicago, winning three Stanley Cup titles. But he is eligible for free agency after this season.

“We will work with him and support him with whatever he needs to make sure he feels good, strong and in a place where he can get back on the ice,” said general manager Kyle Davidson. “We’ll take it day by day but the hope is he can still play a few games here on the stretch.”

When asked about moving Toews by the March 3 trade deadline, Davidson said he wasn’t considering it.

“We’re trying to help him get his full strength back and that’s completely secondary,” he said.

Toews scored 12 goals and 25 assists in 71 games when he returned to action last year, and has looked stronger this season. He has 14 goals and 14 assists in 46 games with the last-place Blackhawks.

“We feel for him and support him now,” said coach Luke Richardson. “This week he took the first steps back, working out and skating, and unfortunately he wasn’t getting the results he wanted.”

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