Dream On (Jonathan Toews)

Chapter One| Favorite Canadian

Jonathan

Hockey is a mans sport. From the first drop of the puck to the last sound of the horn, every second you're on the ice you have to give 100%. When you're not on the ice you're waiting on the bench, taking mental notes and learning the game. There's no breaks, if you take a second to relax you just lost yourself the game. You're going to get hurt, you're going to get angry, but no matter what you have to keep going. Under all the muscle and all the sweat. Under the pads and the jersey. Under the man playing hockey is the little boy who fell in love with the game.

Ever since I was a little boy I loved hockey. Growing up in Canada it was blasphemous if you didn't, but I felt as if I was born for it. When I got my first pair of skates at the ripe age of three years old I wore them like a new pair of nikes. I was always drawn to the sport, even if I wasn't quite sure what that really was. I would stick handle around the house and every Christmas I would get new hockey stuff put under my tree. Eventually my dad decided to build a little rink out back, that's when my mom says she last saw me. Over the years it grew and became a community watering hole. A frozen one at least. I spend my childhood on that rink perfecting my craft. Hours on hours of shot placement, edge control, making a two way game that fit me perfectly. People say I was unusually driven for a little child, but I knew that this was my purpose in life, even at that age. I was made for hockey, no doubt about it. I would invite my friends over for a sleep overs and we would work out or work drills on the ice instead of watching tv or playing games. They said I was crazy... I say I was determined.

As time went on people noticed I was extremely focused on hockey. As I got better so did the people around me, my passion was contagious. Wasn't long before they gave me my first C. I know that if people need my help and I'm in the position to do so, I'll do it. People have always been drawn to me, maybe it's the way I carry myself or the things I say, I don't know. But I accept the challenges of being a leader whole heartedly and love that people can put their trust in me.

Ever since I was a little boy I dreamed of playing in the NHL. Or maybe I would play for my country and wear the Canadian leaf proudly across my chest. I've been honored to do both of those and had some success along the way. Only lost one international tournament game in my life, have plenty of gold medals to go along with the record. I also won the Stanley cup as a 21 year old captain along with the Conn Smyth. Those long nights where my body was so sore I couldn't move or I was mentally drained, it was all worth it when I look at what I've done so far. And I've only just started. Of course all of this success isn't just me, I've been a part of some really great teams and always got someone trust worthy in net. But the last two years since the Hawks have exited in the first round I couldn't wait to lead the team back to the playoffs for another Stanley cup run.

But I can't do that just yet, because the lockout seems to keep going with no progress and while many guys went over seas to play in other leagues I decided to stay back and negotiate. The players in the NHLPA have been talking a lot lately and we feel like we just need one last push, what that would be is beyond me. It feels like it's now or never and I much rather have it get down now. I hate that I can't play right now, hockey has been my go to ever since I could walk. But since September we haven't had any organized games or practices and as Christmas passes I realize something really needs to be done. And fast.

"How's my favorite Canadian" my best friends voice rings over the phone. Patrick was over in Switzerland playing with Seguin and other NHL players in the ECHL and I am starting to think I should have done that too. "Isn't it like 2 am there" I ask looking at my watch. "Yeah but I couldn't sleep. How's negotiations going" he asks. "It's going. Sucks that it's taking over the holidays but anything to get back to playing" I admit. "You still with what's her name" he asks and I roll my eyes. "You mean Samantha, the girl you tried to hook me up with before you left to play in Switzerland" I laugh. "Yeah her" he says seductively and I roll my eyes. "No I'm not with her. I talked with her and she's a cool girl, just not for me" I shrug. "Your loss" he sing songs and I let out a loud sigh. "Is there a reason you called, Patrick" I ask sharply so he knows I'm annoyed. "Because, Jonny. I'm ready to come home. I don't know how they celebrate New Years here but it's going to be nothing like Chicago" he whines. "Soon buddy. I don't know when but soon" I say and I hear him let out a breath he had been holding in. "Alright. I'll let you go. Let me know when you know more" he says. "Alright man. Get some sleep" I advise before hanging up.

It was hard to keep up with all the guys on the team during the 'break'. Not a lot of the guys left because there was always a chance something will get done. But I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of the system getting in the way of the game. And I'm tired of nothing getting done. I miss Sharpie pulling pranks on me even though I hated it, I missed coach Q and his random cussing sprees, I miss the feeling of gliding across the ice top speed, most off all I miss competing with the best team in the world.