Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews Discusses Chronic Immune Response Syndrome Diagnosis

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews addressed being diagnosed with chronic immune response syndrome, which left him unavailable for the 2020-21 NHL season.

The three-time Stanley Cup winner explained how he was experiencing prolonged recoveries and that his immune system "was reacting to everything that I did, any kind of stress, anything that I would do throughout the day."

Toews has since resumed training in Chicago and referenced his goal of getting back on the ice for live games.

The Blackhawks announced in December that Toews would be out indefinitely with an undisclosed medical issue. The 33-year-old said he had felt "drained and lethargic" at times during the offseason, which led him to seek out doctors for an explanation.

Neither he nor the team provided much beyond that after the initial announcement, so Toews' comments Wednesday provide the necessary context to eliminate any lingering rumors or speculation.

The good news is that Toews and his doctors appear to have figured how to manage the diagnosis to allow for him to play again.

In addition to being the team captain, Toews is eighth in franchise history in games played (943) and sixth in goals (345). Along with Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith, he's also one of the last players remaining from Chicago's run atop the NHL in the 2010s.

"He’s obviously a huge part of our team and we’ve missed him,” Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said of Toews. “He does a lot of different things that add up to winning. First and foremost, it’s his competitiveness, and how badly he wants to win. He kills penalties, he plays power play, he plays against top players, he wins faceoffs. Obviously an important player."

The Blackhawks will undoubtedly benefit from the tangible things he brings to the table next season along with the advantages of his experience and leadership.