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This year the local Winnipeg chapter of the PHWA has nominated Jonathan Toews as the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee for Winnipeg. All 32 chapters nominate a player who “best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, dedication to hockey” and the winner is selected from that list of 32 by the entire PHWA.

The Winnipegger has returned to the NHL over two full seasons away from the game and having had to deal with long covid. He has played in all 77 games for the Jets with 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points.

Jonathan spoke with Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press and Murat Ates of The Athletic Winnipeg about being nominated for this award.

On being the Masterton nominee?

“It’s a weird thing. It’s not like you’re consciously thinking about that, but I guess if I do stop to kind of look back at what the last four or five years have been like, it’s definitely been super unpredictable. Something that I never thought I would have to go through in my life. At the same time, I am very thankful for all of the struggles because honestly, it is cliche but it’s where I’ve learned the most about myself. About hockey, about life and all of those things. So, I’m thankful.”

“Even this season, it’s been a struggle. Every day I’m digging deep and trying to find the energy, find a way to contribute in any way and kind of set aside your ego. The challenge has been in my mind, I know what I’m capable of doing and how I can play the game, but just going out there with limited capability and in a limited role, you just try and do the best you can within those parameters I guess.”

“I’m honoured by the recognition and I’m not sure what else to say.”

What do you appreciate most about the journey to get to where you are?

“There have been a lot of challenging, difficult days but it’s all worth it. The way that the city has received me, the city, the organization but also the players in the locker room. I would do it all over again to be part of this group. I learned a lot. Being in a new room, with a new bunch of guys, (you see) the leadership in this locker room, with (Adam Lowry, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor), you go down the list and everyone brings something to the table. Those guys show up every day and they work so hard. They’re always positive, they’re always having fun and they’re keeping it light, even in the tougher moments. I realized over the years that when things don’t go my way, I definitely was riding the highs and lows more than I should have. That’s probably why I had to go through this. Obviously, these guys, they have good heads on their shoulders, they know how to play the game and the way they carry themselves, it’s been nice to be part of that.”

What’s been the best part of being an NHLer again?

“Just that right there. Being in this locker room. Obviously, the season has been crazy busy, non-stop. You don’t get a whole lot of time to stop to breathe between games. Everything is about recovering any which way that you can. But we’ve enjoyed our time together on the road, in the room. The time around the guys, the meals and the time on the bus and the plane, that’s what it’s all about.”

On the struggles?

“Mostly just trying to get your energy up for every single game. If you’re in your late 20s or early 30s, you’re in the best shape in your life, it’s going to be hard, no matter what. It’s the kind of league where if you don’t do it, someone else will. The competition is always high, as you see again this year, the parity is incredible. The league just keeps getting better and it doesn’t get easier as you get older. The time away was a huge challenge, in trying to find my game. But at the same time, the recovery aspect wasn’t easy with the amount of games we’re playing (in a short period of time). I’ll leave it at that for now.”

On facing your ego, were some of the battles to get back more on the psychological side of things rather than just the physical restraints?

“How do you really separate the two at the end of the day? I think we like to put things in categories and boxes, but they’re all part of the same thing. For sure it’s psychological, it’s physical, it’s emotional, it’s all of the above. So yeah, I was eager to get the opportunity in the NHL again and I told myself I would do anything to go out there and help this team. Sometimes you have a story in your head as far as who you are as a person and as a player. I pride myself on my experience and what I accomplished in the game and the way I’ve played over the years. Like I said, sometimes you take a backseat or have a limited role and it’s a new opportunity to learn, to learn how to be a better teammate, a better person. That’s part of it. When there are moments like that, you have to check that ego at the door.”