CHICAGO – Jonathan Toews has added yet another entry to his already incredible hockey portfolio.
The former North Dakota All-American helped lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final, clinching the franchise's third Stanley Cup championship during Toews' captaincy.
Those three titles place Toews among the likes of legends Gretzky, Sakic, Potvin, Beliveau and Richard as captains who led a franchise to at least three Stanley Cups. According to Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, Toews is the second-youngest player to captain three Stanley Cup champions, only seven months younger than Wayne Gretzky.
Toews also became the first three-time Stanley Cup champion in UND history after having previously led Chicago to championships in 2010 and 2013.
"It doesn't feel real right now. It's unbelievable," Toews told NBC's Pierre Maguire following the game. "It feels like a dream. It's an amazing feeling. This is what it's all about."
Toews had a game-high six shots on goal in Game 6 and won 71 percent of his faceoffs (17-for-24). He finished the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 10 goals and 11 assists in 23 games and also had a plus-7 rating.
In 2010, Toews led Chicago to its first Stanley Cup championship in 49 years, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs along the way. In 2013, Toews joined Wayne Gretzky as the only players in NHL history to captain two Stanley Cup winners at the age of 25.
Other UND products to have won multiple Stanley Cup championships included Craig Ludwig (Dallas in 1998-99, Montreal in 1985-86) and Jay Caufield (Pittsburgh in 1990-91 and 1991-92).
Between Toews and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene, a UND alum has won the Stanley Cup in each of the last four years and in five of the last six.
Earlier this season, Toews received his fourth nomination in five years for the Frank J. Selke Award as the NHL's best defensive forward. He won the award in 2012-13.
Toews spent two seasons at North Dakota in 2005-06 and 2006-07, earning first-team All-America honors as a sophomore. He finished his collegiate career with 85 points (40 goals, 45 assists) in 76 games, leading UND to the NCAA Frozen Four in each of his two seasons.
UND's Stanley Cup Champions
1983-84: Gord Sherven, Edmonton
1985-86: Craig Ludwig, Montreal
1989-90: Geoff Smith, Edmonton
1990-91: Jay Caufield, Pittsburgh
1991-92: Jay Caufield, Pittsburgh
1995-96: Troy Murray, Colorado
1998-99: Ed Belfour, Dallas
1998-99: Tony Hrkac, Dallas
1998-99: Craig Ludwig, Dallas
1998-99: Rick Wilson, Dallas (assistant coach)
1999;00: Brad Bombardir, New Jersey
2005-06: Mike Commodore, Carolina
2009:10 Jonathan Toews, Chicago (Conn Smythe Trophy winner)
2011-12: Matt Greene, Los Angeles
2012-13: Jonathan Toews, Chicago
2013-14: Matt Greene, Los Angeles
2014-15: Jonathan Toews, Chicago
