MONTREAL — The Tao of Devon Toews has helped him arrive at one of the most important moments of his hockey career.
Toews will put on a Canada jersey and represent his country for the first time at any level Wednesday night. It will be the first best-on-best game featuring NHL players for the sport in nearly a decade.
Given that he will turn 31 next week, getting this opportunity for the first time this far into his career is a remarkable story. Just not in Toews’ mind.
What was on his mind Tuesday?
“Not a lot,” Toews said. “I’m trying to get used to it and be comfortable with the guys and the system. It’s a lot of new information. I’m just trying to take as much of it in and then just go play.”
When did he realize this opportunity might be possible?
“I don’t know,” he said. “I just go day-to-day and try to play my game and help my team. If I was picked to help my country, then so be it. If not, I’m fine with that too.”
OK, but surely he’s nervous about Wednesday night?
“No, I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t really get nervous playing hockey. I’ve been doing that since I was 3. I get more nervous coming up here and having to talk to (the media) than playing hockey.”
Has he reflected on anything that led to this moment?
“No, not really,” Toews answered. “I don’t really look at what I’ve done or what’s gotten me here. I just try to go day-by-day trying to make myself better — a better person, a better hockey player, better father, better husband, all that. That’s my focus. Doing what I can to become a better person. It’s helped me get here. I don’t really look back and think about those things anymore.
“It seems to be working, though.”
Toews is one of the smartest players in the NHL. He might get nervous about his media responsibilities, but he’s one of the most insightful players as well. And, as he famously showed last season, he’s not at all afraid to say what’s on his mind.
His even-keel approach is probably well-suited for this moment, when Canada and Sweden kick off the 4 Nations Face-Off at Bell Centre.
“I think it means a lot to him,” Nathan MacKinnon said. “It’s not something that will be intimidating for him at all. He’s a very composed guy, on and off the ice. I’m sure he’s looking forward to it.”
Every other player on Canada’s roster has played for his country before. Carolina’s Seth Jarvis played for Canada Red in a U-17 tournament with multiple entries from his country, but he put on the maple leaf sweater all the same.
Toews hasn’t played for Canada at the world championships because he’s made the Stanley Cup Playoffs every year of his NHL career. But he was passed over for all of the youth tournaments, and the NHL hasn’t gone to the Winter Olympics since 2014.
He has been underrated for much of his career, but playing for Canada in a best-on-best senior tournament is a different kind of recognition. It’s been the hardest team to make in the sport, and now Toews is here.
“It’s well-deserved to represent his country. I think he’s an unbelievable player,” Islanders forward Brock Nelson said. “Maybe an under-the-radar guy for a while, but he was a big part of our team in New York. He’s won and been a big part of the success in Colorado.
“I’ve texted with him a few times leading up to this. He’s just a great guy, a simple guy. He goes out there, works extremely hard and cares about one another, cares about winning and doing whatever it takes. … He still checks in on guys and cares about you as a person.”
Toews will be a critical part of Canada’s team, just like he is for the club back in Denver. The mindset that has helped make him one of the best two-way defensemen on the planet has been working for him. It’s finally led him to this stage.
And he can still deflect praise and questions about his excellence as well as he knocks pucks away from hard-charging opponents.
“It’s pretty cool,” Avs defenseman Cale Makar said of his partner finally getting this opportunity. “To be paired with him right now is pretty special. … I think he’s really excited.”
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