A small lake in northwestern Manitoba is now named in honour of the Chicago Blackhawks captain and Olympic gold medalist Jonathan Towes.

Premier Greg Selinger presented Toews with a certificate of the naming at a ceremony at the legislative building on Sunday morning.

"I know all Manitobans will join me in congratulating Jonathan on his achievements," Selinger said. "Winning the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy and an Olympic gold medal all in one year is an incredible success story. We are all extremely proud of Jonathan and naming a lake in his honour is a fitting tribute."

Toews Lake is about 95 km north of Flin Flon and approximately 2.4 km long and 1.6 km wide.

Selinger said Toews is an excellent role model for young Manitobans. "At 22 years old, his career in hockey is just beginning. He has come a long way from his days of lacing up his skates at Winnipeg's Dakota Community Club."

Selinger said the province usually names lakes after people who have given their lives serving in conflict.

"We thought we'd do it this time because of his outstanding contribution as a hockey player. It's very rare to win the triple crown – the Olympic gold, the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smyth," he said.

At a celebration at City Hall, Mayor Sam Katz presented Toews with a key to the city, calling him "Winnipeg's favourite son."

"You've shown every young person in our city that if you believe, and you work hard, then you can accomplish every person's dream," Katz said.

Members of Toews' family were present at the celebration. Toews gave a short speech thanking them and thanking his fans.

"I've got to say, winning the Stanley Cup, it's a dream come true, there's nothing like it, but to realize how much support, how many fans I have back here in Winnipeg, and to bring the Stanley Cup back to you, nothing compares to that. So thank you very much," Toews said. 

After the celebrations at City Hall, there was a parade from L'école Christine-Lespérance to the Dakota Community Club, which was renamed the Jonathan Toews Community Centre.

The rink at the communtiy centre is where Toews began his career.