Nov. 11--Jonathan Toews remembers his first NHL game well.
The Blackhawks center recalls he scored a goal on the first shot he took in the NHL against goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, but Toews' most vivid memory is that the Hawks lost that Oct. 10, 2007, game to the Sharks 2-1.
"In the first period it felt good," Toews told the Tribune. "But at the end of the day, I'd have liked to get that first win."
Typical of the player they call "Captain Serious," it was all about how his team fared and not his individual accomplishment -- even at the tender age of 19. That has only increased in the 498 games Toews has played since and will be on display when the 26-year-old takes the ice for career game No. 500 when the Hawks face the Lightning on Tuesday night at the United Center.
Toews has matured -- and even mellowed in some ways -- since he first stepped onto the ice over seven years ago at the UC and has bookmarked every step of the process for future reference.
"In some ways you hold on to the qualities that made you a good hockey player and got you to this level," Toews said. "As you go along there's so much more than just focusing on yourself and your hockey skills. You're part of a team and part of a group of guys. Especially as a captain, there are a lot of different things you have to focus on other than just yourself. I'm improving on that every day and trying to be more and more conscious of those things."
Like millions of youngsters, Toews dreamed of playing in the NHL. That he has done so 499 times is almost surreal to the Winnipeg native.
"I feel like if you dream of being an NHL player, 500 games doesn't seem like a lot," he said. "Once you get there and you do go through it, it's a lot more than you think. It's definitely an honor and an accomplishment to have gotten that far and to think of the great moments I've been lucky to have been a part of with this team ... it's definitely very special."
There is also a sense of pride and accomplishment for an NHL career that includes two Stanley Cups and Conn Smythe and Selke trophies. Toews knows that the effort he has put in has paid off. But he also knows he didn't do it alone.
"It's not just about your own hard work," Toews said. "I had a lot of support and a lot of things go right. It's the organization making changes getting to where it's at right now and understanding what makes a great team. Just being a part of a roomful of guys who want to win and do the same things as you and share the same goals is special. It's been an honor to be a part of it with those guys."
Toews reaches the milestone while playing some of his best offensive hockey. His goal and assist during the Hawks' 5-2 victory over the Sharks on Sunday night was his fourth multi-point effort of the season. He leads the Hawks with six goals and 13 points in 15 games, including two scores and three assists in the last three
Fast starts haven't always been Toews' forte. He opened the 2008-09 season with a 12-game goalless skid ("I'll never forget that one -- that was tough," he said with a chuckle).
"I look back to how he's started each and every year and traditionally his production might not be high to begin with, but the consistency in his game is always there," coach Joel Quenneville said. "On thing about Johnny, he might not be productive on the offensive side of things, but he doesn't give up much in his own end. He can neutralize and absorb (opponents') top lines a lot of nights without showing that he's been scoring. Johnny is a pretty consistent producer for us. Offensively, his numbers are probably a little better now than in the past. They're starting to go in for him now."
While defensive play is first and foremost to Toews, adding scoring -- especially when several of the Hawks' other forwards are scuffling offensively -- is a big part of his game. Right now, his confidence in putting the puck into the net is soaring, thanks to finding the proper mindset.
"It's an understanding that goal scoring is more of a mental thing," Toews said. "It's more of what you're telling yourself in your head more than anything. I can go out there and work on my shots and my skills for hours and hours and if I don't feel confident and I don't feel like I'm going to have a chance to score in the game, I'm not going to score."
He said there is a running monologue in his head reminding himself that he is a scorer -- and it's always positive.
"It's kind of repeating to yourself, 'You can score, you're a goal scorer. Things will come and you don't have to try too hard to make it happen,' " Toews said.
ckuc@tribpub.com
Twitter @ChrisKuc
