3-time Stanley Cup winner Jonathan Toews announces his retirement

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Jonathan Toews announced his retirement Friday, ending a decorated NHL career that included three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals and a comeback season with his hometown Winnipeg Jets.

The 38-year-old center returned to the NHL in 2025-26 after a two-year absence related to Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and long COVID, recording 11 goals and 18 assists while appearing in all 82 games for Winnipeg.

“I want to sit here and say I have no regrets,” Toews said before about 100 invited guests at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex. “I did the best that I could with what I knew at the time. That’s part of the journey. It’s not always going to be perfect.

“All in all, if someone told me when I was getting drafted that we would be standing here today and this is how my career would go out, I would have signed up for that 100 times over.”

Toews spent 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, captaining the franchise to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015 while winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2010.

He finished his NHL career with 383 goals and 529 assists in 1,149 regular-season games and was recognized as one of the league’s premier two-way forwards.

“I would have loved to have played longer and maybe hit a few personal milestones, but at the end of the day, I’m thankful for the team success I was able to be a part of,” Toews said. “That means the world to me.”

Toews also starred for Canada on the international stage, winning Olympic gold twice in 2010 and 2014, the World Cup in 2016, a world championship in 2007 and consecutive world junior titles in 2006 and 2007.

His final season allowed one of Manitoba’s most accomplished hockey players to complete a full-circle return home before stepping away from the game.

Toews had 11 goals and 29 points in 82 games for Winnipeg.

“The energy and the conditioning, it was never quite where I wanted it to be,” Toews said. “The speed of the game has definitely gone up and mine didn’t quite follow that.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Winnipeg Jet owner Mark Chipman speaks after former Winnipeg Jet and Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews announced his retirement from the NHL during an event at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, June 19, 2026. (John Woods /The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Winnipeg Jet and Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews embraces his parents Bryan and Andree before the announces his retirement from the NHL during an event at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, June 19, 2026. (John Woods /The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Winnipeg Jet and Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews announces his retirement from the NHL as his parents, Andree, Bryan and friends look on during an event at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, June 19, 2026. (John Woods /The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Winnipeg Jet and Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews speaks to media after he announced his retirement from the NHL during an event at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, June 19, 2026. (John Woods /The Canadian Press via AP)

Former Winnipeg Jet and Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews speaks to media after he announced his retirement from the NHL during an event at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, June 19, 2026. (John Woods /The Canadian Press via AP)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — It took Ismael Saibari only 21 minutes to score a goal for Morocco in his World Cup debut.

Barely a minute was enough time for him to get on the scoreboard in his second outing.

Saibari drilled a shot into the top corner of the net a mere 72 seconds into Friday's 1-0 win over Scotland at Gillette Stadium, keeping alive Morocco's chances of advancing to its second straight World Cup knockout round.

“We wanted three points and we got them,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said.

Morocco's ball movement caught Scotland on its heels at the very start.

Saibari slipped behind two Scotland defenders and Brahim Diaz dropped the ball over the top to him. The 25-year-old forward gathered and blasted it into the top left corner, well outside the reach of goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

Morocco, which reached the semifinals at the last World Cup in Qatar, drew 1-1 with Brazil in its Group C opener with Saibari scoring the lone goal. Scotland, which hasn’t gotten out of the group stage in its eight previous World Cup appearances, beat Haiti 1-0 in its first match.

Scotland was outshot 12-6 on Friday, struggling to get clear looks against Morocco’s defense.

The negative result didn't affect Scotland coach Steve Clarke's confidence in his team.

“We gave them a game," Clarke said. "We’re sure we can compete at this level.”

Morocco nearly scored another in the 52nd minute when a header by Bilal El Khannouss off Achraf Hakimi’s corner kick was battled down by Gunn.

Scotland had a chance in first-half stoppage time when Andy Robertson sent a cross at John McGinn, who couldn’t get a foot on it near the back post.

As Scotland pressed for an equalizing goal in the closing minutes, Morocco had a pair of good chances to add to their lead, but both missed the target.

“I thought the performance didn’t match the result, if I’m honest,” Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson said. “We took the game to them. So there are positives from both games that certainly we can take into this last game.”

Scotland will face Brazil in its final Group C match on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Morocco will take on Haiti at the same time in Atlanta.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn (1) blocks a shot at goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari, top right, scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari, left, scores his side's opening goal pst Scotland's Jack Hendry during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari, top right, scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari, left, is congratulated after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)