Chicago Blackhawks

Toews Named Captain

July 22nd, 2008 by Frank

Jonathan Toews has been named the 34th captain in team history. At just shy of 21 years old Jonathan will become the 3rd youngest captain for an NHL franchise.

Toews was the 3rd overall draft pick in the 2006 entry draft, and last year led all rookies with 24 goals including 7 on the power play and ended the season with 54 total points. He played in 64 games last season, having been on injured reserve due to a sprained knee.
It has been said that had he not missed those 18 games, it is quite possible that he may have ended up winning the NHL Rookie of the Year award, and also that the Blackhawks might have made the playoffs.

It’s always easy to look back and make these comments, however if you watched the Hawks during Toews’ abscence and then watched them after he came back, I think that you would agree, he is a difference maker. It is quite amazing that a player of his age can have such an impact on his team. Without comparing him to Crosby, or Ovechkin, or Malkin, Jonathan is going to be a very, very good player for a very long time.

While the concern among many is that he may be too young to be a captain, or that he hasn’t played enough games (64) in the NHL to be deserving of the title, and that he may be better suited as an alternate, the Hawks realize that Jonathan is one very special player, and we have no idea what goes in in the dressing room and on the ice between players.
Denis Savard and his staff along with Dale Tallon must know what they are doing, and we as Hawk fans must trust their judgement. Since the recent change of management every move the Hawks have made has been “spot on”, and we should have no reason to think that this is going to be any different.

What has Toews accomplished so far? Take a look:

Led his North Dakota college team to the Frozen Four Championships.
Played for Team Canada and won a Gold medal in both World Junior Championships and World Championship in 2006-2007.
Only Non NHL player on Team Canada in 2007, also the 2nd youngest player on the roster.
Scored 3 shootout goals in Team Canada’s win over Team USA in the World Junior Championship semi-final game.
Had 10 points in his first 10 NHL games.

The Hawks have made an excellent choice and for all we know Toews is mature way beyond his years. If we focus on his leadership skills and his accomplishments and talent rather than how young he is, none of the other stuff really matters.
I think that if you have a special player and you feel that he has what it takes to be a leader, then you go ahead with it.

For the Hawks, this is a new era, a new beginning, and a bright future.

I can’t wait for the season to start!

Thanks for reading.

Posted in Uncategorized

2 Responses to “Toews Named Captain”
By thewordbird on Jul 25, 2008

absolutely. Toews has intangibles that a player such as Shane Doan or Brendan Shanahan brings to the table. I might compare it to Derek Jeter of the Yankees as well.

I think the ‘Hawks are doing the proper thing, though you need a special player to do this AND need the right circumstances. These are that (many young players from Troy Brouwer, Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook, Jordan Hendry, Petri Kontiola, etc…) that will all benefit from Johnathan Toews’ leading the way.
By Jason C on Jul 26, 2008

Other than Toews there aren’t many players on the Hawks roster that are captain material. Good thing Toews is a great choice nonetheless.

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