Jonathan Toews Will Skip All-Star Game, Thus Earning A 1-Game Suspension
(CBS) Citing illness, Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews will skip this weekend's All-Star Game, which by league rule slaps him with a one-game suspension.
Toews will have to sit out Chicago's game at Colorado on Tuesday. He didn't play in the third period of the Blackhawks' 5-0 loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday.
"(Toews) was pulled from Tuesday night's third period because of an illness and remains symptomatic today," Blackhawks team physician Michael Terry said in a statement released Thursday. "At this time, rest over the break is most important for him to properly recover and be fully healthy heading into the rest of the regular season."
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is also skipping the All-Star Game, so Toews isn't the only high-profile player to get hit with a suspension.
Toews has 35 points (19 goals, 16 assists) in 53 games this season. Winger Patrick Kane will now be the Blackhawks' lone representation in the All-Star Game, which will feature a three-on-three format and four teams split by division.
Predators forward James Neal will replace Toews.