Jonathan Toews joins hometown Winnipeg Jets in return to NHL

Jonathan Toews is coming home.

The former Chicago Blackhawks captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion has agreed to sign with the Winnipeg Jets but can't put ink to paper until July 1.

"We are excited to add a proven winner like Jonathan Toews to the Winnipeg Jets," general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said in a news release posted on the Jets website.

"It will be a unique opportunity for Jonathan to play for his hometown team. His talent, drive and experience will be a great complement to our club. We will withhold further comment until July 1."

Free agents aren't allowed to put ink to paper until July 1, so the official signing has to wait just over a week.

The Jets posted several messages on X on Friday morning, including one that said, "Can't believe this is a real post from @nhljets tbh."

Toews, who was born in Winnipeg and played youth hockey in the city, has a sportsplex named in his honour in the St. Vital neighbourhood where he grew up.

On Friday, a message on the electronic sign for the facility said "He's home."

In a statement included in the Jets release on Friday, Toews said he is grateful to be making his return to the NHL with the club.

"It's very special to come home and play in front of my family and friends in Manitoba. The Jets have been on the rise over the last few seasons, and I'm eager to join the group and help however I can."

Toews, 37, was drafted third overall by the Blackhawks in 2006 and spent his entire career there, winning three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013 and 2015), before stepping away from the game in February 2023, saying he was suffering from symptoms of long COVID and chronic inflammatory response syndrome.

"It has reached the point where I had no choice but to step back and