Jonathan Toews Vents In Defense Of Patrick Sharp
By Chris Emma-
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Following the Blackhawks' 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night, a game in which they showed few signs of unrest amid off-ice drama, captain Jonathan Toews spoke strongly in defense of the subject of such rumors, Patrick Sharp.
When asked how the Blackhawks maintain focus, Toews responded with a lengthy case:
"That's our jobs. That's what we try to do. Obviously, it's not easy. I don't think anyone who spreads rumors like that understands what it's like to be targeted, to be a subject of those rumors. It's definitely unfair to that individual when it's obviously completely false. For us, in the (locker room), as teammates, we support the guy. We deal with it when we learn from it. I think you, as a professional athlete, you're always under some form of scrutiny; especially in the city of Chicago, where we're more and more in the spotlight, where people talk about stuff that happens -- or, things that they think happen, obviously -- off the ice. We just focus on our job, which is the number one thing. I think we're happy with the way we've gotten through it as a team. Like I said, there's false rumors like that. Sometimes, you can laugh about it, but when it's serious and it affects someone's family, then it's good to put it to rest and move on."
Chicago returns to action on Friday night when it hosts the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center.