Behind-the-scenes for Jonathan Toews' return to Chicago

To say this date has been circled on the calendar for a while would be an understatement.

On January 19, Jonathan Toews made his return to United Center.

His resume and accomplishments with the Chicago Blackhawks speaks for itself: three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a Selke Trophy, a Mark Messier Leadership Award, all go with his 372 goals and 981 points in 1,067 games in a Blackhawks uniform.

That’s the short version of the resume – which doesn’t even include his international performances or his 15 seasons as captain – and while his focus tonight will be on helping the Winnipeg Jets get two points, one can only imagine the range of emotions the 37-year-old will be feeling.

"It's definitely different. Just being out of the city for a while and coming back - especially with the big Bears game last night - it's always fun to feel the energy when you come back to Chicago," said Toews after the morning skate. "You don't get games like this all the time. At the end of the day you want to go out there and play well and you want to win the game, so you have to keep some level of focus and not get too distracted with all the things going on around you."

Toews had dinner with family and friends on Sunday night and even got to catch up with a few former teammates.

"I saw (Kris Versteeg) in Toronto right after Christmas and he said he was going to be in town with a bunch of the guys - Johnny (Oduya) and (Marian Hossa) - were coming in too," said Toews, who learned during that visit in Toronto that Chicago was honouring those Stanley Cup winning alumni just a couple days before the Jets came to town. "It was pretty cool to see the moment they got, and even talking with Shawsy and Steeger and Brows last night. You know all their kids are growing up now, and I think it’s probably pretty cool for, you know, their young boys and children to maybe see it secondhand when they’re a little bit older, a little bit more mature, to see that their dads are pretty cool, and they had some pretty cool moments here in Chicago."

While he spent time meeting up with teammates of old, Toews' current teammates are eager to experience this night with him.

“For me, I have plenty of memories of watching, and I can only imagine for him, being the captain there for so long, and hoisting the three cups, what he meant to that city and organization,” said Josh Morrissey. “It's going to be special. As a teammate, you're excited for him. And obviously, not just where we're at in standings, but for him as well, we want to go in and obviously find a way to get two points.”

Episode six of RUNWAY, presented by Bell takes you behind-the-scenes for a special night in Chicago!

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