Toews back skating after chronic immune response syndrome
Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews revealed Wednesday that he missed this past season while dealing with what he described as chronic immune response syndrome.
Toews revealed his diagnosis for the first time in a video released on social media. The video showed him skating at the team's practice facility, though it was not clear when he was on the ice.
"I just think there's a lot of things that just kind of piled up where my body just fell apart," Toews said. "I just couldn't quite recover and my immune system was reacting to everything. any kind of stress -- anything that I would do throughout the day there was always kind of that stress response, so it took some time."
Toews in late December said he was feeling symptoms that left him feeling "drained and lethargic." The team said at the time Toews was sidelined indefinitely by an undisclosed illness.
Toews, 33, has played for Chicago since 2007. He was named captain a year later and won the Stanley Cup with the team three times: 2010, 2013 and 2015. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP in 2010.
"I learned a lot about just the stress I put on my body over the years and appreciate all the support," Toews said. "A lot of people were worried, and I definitely felt bad to a certain degree that people were that worried that they thought it was really serious. But in the back of my mind, I knew I'd get through it. It was just a matter of time."
Toews, who is from Winnipeg, has played in 943 regular-season and 137 playoff games for the Blackhawks since making his NHL debut. He is under contract for two more seasons and could hit the 1,000-game milestone next season if he's back on the active roster and playing.
"I'm excited to get back in the United Center and play and just go out there and have fun," Toews said. "I think my best is going to come through, and I'm excited it get back."
Dubbed "Captain Serious" early in his career, Toews has always been regarded for his leadership skills and two-way play. He won the Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward for the 2012-13 season. He won the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2015.
Toews also won gold with Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.