TORONTO — One family came all the way from Los Angeles to see the Blackhawks officially donate a Stanley Cup ring to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Friday. One fan was wearing a genuine 1961 Hawks ring, which he had bought at auction. But of all the many Hawks fans who crowded around the ring display in Toronto on Friday, it’s likely only two of them had been there for all three ceremonies — Jonathan Toews’ parents.
Andrée Gilbert, Toews’ mom, said it was just a coincidence that they happened to be in Toronto each time.
“It’s hard to believe we’re back here again,” Bryan Toews, his dad, said. “It doesn’t get old. We’ll come back if we can. We hope.”
Hawks president John McDonough, vice president Jay Blunk, vice president Al MacIsaac and assistant general manager Norm MacIver were among the Hawks brass that attended. But it was the dozens of jersey-clad Hawks fans who showed up that impressed Gilbert.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “The Chicago Blackhawks do have the nicest jersey in all sports, we all know that. Everywhere we go, we’re amazed how many people are fans. Even [Thursday] in Montreal, it was just incredible how many people were wearing the jerseys. It’s quite amazing.”
Foes, friends
Joel Quenneville will be on Toronto head coach Mike Babcock’s Team Canada staff for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. Quenneville said they’ve discussed the team three or four times.
“We’re getting more organized a little bit, and getting excited thinking about it in the back of our heads,” Quenneville said. “But the hockey season keeps you pretty occupied.”
Babcock actually tried to hire Quenneville as an assistant coach in Detroit in 2008, but Quenneville was holding out for a head coaching job. Four games into the season, the Hawks fired Denis Savard and hired Quenneville.
“Things worked out very well,” Quenneville deadpanned.
Gustafsson still out
Erik Gustafsson (lower-body injury) missed his second straight game and is questionable for Sunday’s home game against Montreal.
Email: mlazerus@suntimes.com
Twitter: @marklazerus
