WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — The spotlight was on Jonathan Toews when the Winnipeg Jets skated onto the ice for their season opener against Dallas on Thursday night.

The Winnipeg-born Toews received a loud, long cheer from the sold-out crowd when he was introduced before the Jets' 5-4 loss.

The 37-year-old Jets center, who was playing his first NHL game since April 13, 2023, with the Chicago Blackhawks, logged 18:19 of ice time in his 1,068th career regular-season game. He had one shot on goal.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion and former Chicago captain missed the past two seasons for health reasons related to Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and long COVID-19.

“Just a lot of energy. A lot of excitement. I’m just trying to contain myself there,” Toews said about the crowd’s welco

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