Jonathan Toews gets standing ovation in 'special' return to Chicago - ESPN

CHICAGO — Jonathan Toews exhaled and then laughed and shook his head in disbelief as the standing ovation continued for four-plus minutes. «All right, all right,» he said before taking another lap in front of the cheering crowd.

Toews returned to Chicago on Monday night with his hometown Winnipeg Jets, but it was clear that his first NHL city still counts him as one of its own.

Toews waved and patted his heart as he was showered with cheers and chants of «Jonny! Jonny!» during a timeout in the first period. It was his first game at the United Center since he signed with the Jets on July 1.

The 37-year-old center spent his first 15 seasons with the Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cup titles.

«I tried to do my best to take it all in and really savor it. To really appreciate the love from the fans,» Toews said. «Obviously, I spent some special years here in Chicago and that's what made playing for the Blackhawks so great. Winning championships and all of that stuff aside, just playing for a sports team in this city and calling this home for as long as I did was just incredible. I can't thank them enough. It will always be home and has a special place in my heart.»

There was a noticeable buzz when Toews and the Jets took the ice for pregame warmups. There was a big cheer when he was introduced with the starting lineup and once again when he was shown on the videoboard during Canada's national anthem.

The Blackhawks showed a Toews highlight video during a break in the action with 12:23 left in the first. Dotted with No. 19 Toews jerseys and holding posters that read «WELCOME BACK 19,» the crowd of 19,894 stood and cheered throughout the tribute.

When the video ended, Toews jumped on the ice to acknowledge the ovation, and