Marian Hossa‘s farewell game is happening on Friday in TrenÄĆn. Among the players participating: Jonathan Toews, who made a bit of his own news on Thursday announcing a farewell of sorts. Toews is stepping away from the game to take care of his health for the coming season and is not yet “fully retiring.” Whether or not we ever see him back in the NHL again remains TBD, but I’m sure being on the ice with some of his former teammates and friends at the Hossa event will be therapeutic for his soul.
As I watched the video attached to Toews’ initial statement on Thursday thanking the Blackhawks and their fans, I was struck once again at how young he was when he arrived in Chicago. And how young he was when they placed the captaincy on him. And how young he was when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010. Nearly half of his life was spent playing for and representing the Chicago Blackhawks. And not many have done that better. Much respect to The Captain (and here’s hoping he drops a hat trick in Hossa’s game).
Here’s the tribute video from the end of his final game in Chicago from back in April.
Sadly, the hockey world lost a voice to generations of fans this week. The family of long-time Buffalo Sabres voice Rick Jeanneret announced his passing on Thursday. The originator of the phrase āTop shelf where mama hides the cookies!ā was a mainstay in the Sabres’ booth for 51 incredible years.
A statement from theš§ø family of Rick Jeanneret. š¤
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)
Like Pat Foley in Chicago, there were some players with whom his voice is tied to forever. Chicago has “Baaaaaaanermannnn!” and “Niemi says no!” For Buffalo — and Brad May — this call is one of the iconic moments:
Patrick Kane grew up a Sabres fan in the Buffalo area. He shared his condolences with the family on the artist formerly known as Twitter this morning.
Sharing my sympathy with the Jeanneret family on Rickās passing. He was one of the biggest reasons I liked the Sabres so much growing up. RIP RJ.— Patrick Kane (@88PKane)
A significant shake-up at the NHLPA on Thursday. Mathieu Schneider, who joined the Players’ Association as a Special Assistant to the Executive Director in 2011, is no longer with the union. Marty Walsh is the new executive director.
Sources say Mathieu Schneider and the have parted ways, after 12 years at the No. 2 post in the playersā union. Told the push was made by executive director Marty Walsh.— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli)
The Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, announced on Thursday morning that Ohio State center Jake Wise has signed an AHL contract. Wise was a third-round pick by the Blackhawks in 2018 but was not extended a contract offer when his collegiate career came to an end earlier this year. Wishing him all the best in Charlotte!
The Checkers have signed forward Jake Wise to a one-year AHL contraš¤Ŗct
— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey)
If you’re headed to Bulls Fest at the United Center this weekend, this is a must read before getting in the car/calling an Uber/finding a train.
A Quick Guide to This Weekendās Bulls Feš²st at the United Center!
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls)
Finally, the Bulls released their schedule for the coming season on Thursday. The full breakdown is right here!
Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the and is the author of three books about the Blackhawks: (Triumph Books),"100 Things Blackhawks Fans Shoulād Know & Do Before Thš¼ey Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Fź§ind him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab
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