Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews Still Learning on the Job as Captain

There is little doubt that the Chicago Blackhawks take their cues on the ice from their 23-year-old captain, Jonathan Toews.

In 2010-11, Toews got a taste of the less glamorous side of the captaincy.

For whatever reason, the 'Hawks found it difficult to defend the Stanley Cup with the same intensity as was showed in winning it.  Toews demonstrated to the fans of Chicago, as well as the rest of the NHL, that he is not one to rest on his laurels.

This is great news for the team that has made a long-term commitment to the young center.  However, Toews still has some room for improvement.

There is no doubt Toews led by example this season.  As a career-high season in points and a Selke nomination will attest, Toews is developing into one of the best two-way centers in the game.  He takes his role as captain seriously and displayed plenty of leadership on the ice.

For a young man with the city of Chicago at his doorstep, he has kept a remarkably low-profile off the ice.

Toews was every bit the professional in 2010-11, leading the team with eight game-winning goals.  His 76 points led the team in that category.  He sported a 56.7 winning percentage at the dot, winning more faceoffs than anyone in the league (937).

He picked up the slack left by injuries to Marian Hossa and Dave Bolland in the first half of the season.  When his own shoulder injury occurred December 30th, the team was looking at two weeks without their captain.

Toews missed just two games before returning.

In a world where motivation can sometimes be a fleeting mistress, Toews seems bent on retaining his will to win.  You could see that desire all season long, even when he wore down in the final weeks.

Toews was the unquestioned leader on the ice.  In his third season as captain of the 'Hawks, Toews got perhaps his most intense on-the-job training in that role.

It's easy to go out and lead a hungry, talented, deep team like the 'Hawks were last season.  The trick comes in leading when things aren't always going in the right direction.  The times were a bit more trying throughout the 2010-11 campaign to say the least.

I would have liked to have seen Toews as concerned with the prospect of missing the playoffs as Brian Campbell seemed to be earlier in the season.  Not that Toews played with less intensity, but he seemed a bit dismissive of that notion despite the 'Hawks struggling with making the postseason for most of the way.

Toews put his foot down in a well-publicized eruption February 21st in St. Louis when Chicago fell behind 2-0 after the first period.   The 'Hawks responded by scoring four second period goals, winning the second of what would be eight straight games.

Should Toews be a more vocal leader?  That's difficult to say unless you're in the locker room but I think he learned that his voice carries weight with his teammates.  He shouldn't hesitate to use it on occasion.

With the success Toews has enjoyed so far, it is easy to forget that he is just getting started in what could be a Hall Of Fame career with Chicago.  The great news for 'Hawks fans is that he seems to realize this.

Toews possesses the desire to build on what he has accomplished in his first four seasons in the NHL.  Maybe the 'Hawks took a step back this past season, but their captain took yet another important step forward.