Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews Out Indefinitely Due To Illness, Puts Out Statement

Thirteen-year NHL veteran Jonathan Toews is out indefinitely with an illness according to his team, the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks captain also issued a statement:

"This offseason, I’ve been experiencing symptoms that have left me feeling drained and lethargic. I am working with doctors so I can better understand my condition.

Until I can get my health back to a place where I feel I can perform at an elite level and help my team, I will not be joining the Blackhawks for training camp. I do not have a timetable for when I will rejoin the team. I am extremely disappointed, but it wouldn’t be fair to myself or my teammates to attempt to play in my current condition.

I am grateful for the continuous support from and ongoing communication with the Blackhawks organization. Stan Bowman, Rocky Wirtz, Danny Wirtz, Jeremy Colliton and my teammates have been nothing but understanding of my situation, and I appreciate them standing by me.

To Blackhawks fans, I will continue to do whatever I can to get back on the ice and return to play the game I love for the team I love. I will not be making any further comment at this time and ask everyone to please respect my privacy as I focus on my health and recovery."

Last season in 70 games with the Hawks, Toews amassed 60 points, scoring 18 goals to go along with 42 assists. The 32-30-8 Blackhawks finished 7th in NHL Central Division.

This news for the Blackhawks, who start the season on Jan 13 at Tampa, comes a day after the club announced that young forward Kirby Dach would miss four to five months with a wrist injury, after playing for Team Canada.

Another Blackhawks youngster, 22-year-old Alex Nylander, will be out four to six months with a knee injury.