Blackhawks’ Toews out indefinitely with illness
Chicago Black hawks captain Jonathan Toews will miss the start of training camp because of an illness, and there is no timetable for his return.
The 32-year- old Toews said Tuesday he has been experiencing symptoms that have left him feeling “drained and lethargic.”
“I am extremely disappointed, but it wouldn’t be fair to myself or my teammates to attempt to play in my current condition,” Toews said in a release.
The loss of Toews is the biggest blow in a tough stretch for Chicago heading into the 56-game season, which begins on Jan. 13. The veteran center, a three- time Stanley Cup winner with the Blackhawks, had 18 goals and 42 assists in 70 games last season, but he also is one of the team’s best defensive forwards and face-off options.
The announcement of Toews’ illness comes in the wake of injuries for Kirby Dach and Alex Nylander that could sidelined the young forwards for the entire season. Dach had surgery Monday after he fractured his right wrist while playing for Canada’s world junior team during an exhibition last week. Nylander had surgery on Dec. 21 for a meniscus tear in his left knee.
The Blackhawks made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2017, but they were eliminated by Vegas in the first round.
“Jonathan’s health is our top priority as he deals with this medical issue,” president of hockey operations Stan Bowman said. “The Chicago Blackhawks organization and our medical staff will provide all necessary resources to help him return to playing hockey. While he will not report to training camp on January 3 and will be out indefinitely, we will continue to support him as he is an important part of our family.”
INDIAN WELLS TOURNAMENT DELAYED >> The BNP
Paribas Open, featuring the men’s and women’s pro tennis tours, won’t be held in March in Indian Wells as originally scheduled.
Tournament organizers said they are working with the ATP and WTA tours as well as the title sponsor to confirm dates later in 2021 for the event. It was originally set for March 8-21 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The decision to postpone the event was made after consulting with state and local public health officials and tournament owner Larry Ellison.
This year’s tournament was the first major U. S. sporting event called off after a case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the Coachella Valley in March.
The Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam event, has been postponed to Feb. 8-21, three weeks later than usual in order to allow players and officials 14 days to quarantine after they arrive Down Under.