Longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews announced Thursday he is not retiring but is also not ready to hit the ice in the immediate future.
"I'd like to announce that I am not fully retiring, but I am taking time away from the game again this season," he wrote on Instagram. "I cannot deny my love for the game of hockey and still feel the passion for competing at my highest level."
He provided more details:
"However, these last few seasons have been very difficult considering my health challenges. My focus is to give myself the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again.