Jonathan Toews provides health update: ‘I’ve been on a healing journey’
One of the most successful players in NHL history is telling the world what he’s been up to since stepping away from hockey.
On his Instagram page, three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews provided an update on his health, writing that he has his health has been “trending.”
“As some of you may know, I’ve been on a bit of a healing journey,” Toews wrote. “I’ve had many ups and downs, brief moments of hope working with a whole bunch of different doctors and modalities, followed by doubting if things would ever improve.
Toews described his time in India, where he spent five weeks learning the healing sciences practiced within the Asian country.
“This system views our bodies as delicate ecosystems, influenced by everything we consume as far as energy, information, thoughts, feelings, and food. In short, it teaches that our health can thrive when we learn to simplify our lives, create space for stillness and better align ourselves with nature’s rhythms. A Panchakarma is a healing protocol designed to restore your health by cleansing and releasing toxins stored deep in the body.”
Prior to the 2023-24 season, Toews announced that he was not going to play, and that he was going to take some time away from hockey. However, the former Chicago Blackhawks captain mentioned that he wasn’t necessarily retiring after the team revealed they had no intentions of re-signing him after the 2022-23 campaign.
Toews had been suffering various health issues over the past few years, missing the entire 2020-21 season as a result. He played most of the 2021-22 campaign before making just 53 appearances the following year. The Winnipeg native revealed he had been dealing with symptoms of long-COVID, which led to his extended absences.
“The wisdom of Ayurveda has taught me that everything I experience, I am responsible for. Not only did it teach me better diet choices specific to my body type, it has deepened my intuitive relationship with myself and the world around me.”
The 36-year-old is regarded as one of the best leaders in the game’s history. Along with helping the Hawks to multiple championships, including a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010, he won the Selke Trophy in 2012-13, and was honored with the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2014-15.
He is also one of the most decorated players on the international stage. Toews won back-to-back IIHF World Junior Championships in 2006 and 2007, helping Canada take home gold at the IIHF Men’s World Championship in 2007 as well. He was the best forward at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, before becoming a member of the select quadruple gold club when the Canadians won the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
Toews was also named to the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players list in 2017.