Despite the coaching staff feeling that he could have made the Isles roster out of camp last year, Toews was sent down to Bridgeport for more seasoning. Toews' patience, work ethic and offense did not go unnoticed, as he strung together 19 points in 24 games in Bridgeport. When he was finally called up, he played with that same poise that he displayed in training camp and never came out of the lineup. It's that very same determination that continues to drive the defensive sensation as he enters his sophomore campaign. Toews already lit the lamp on Friday night against Detroit, firing a one-timer in from the point.
"You can't get too far ahead of yourself, that's important," Toews explained. "I think you just trust the process and play your game. You try to build off of that confidence and work on improving what you can."
And after a rigorous summer split of training at Quinnipiac University - his alma mater - and back in Vancouver with fellow NHLers Morgan Rielly of the Maple Leafs and Vegas' Shea Theodore, Toews is hungrier than ever.
That fits well with Barry Trotz's "no entitlement" training camp philosophy, as Toews is his own biggest critic and always welcomes room for improvement. He embraces healthy competition, even that of a rising star in 19-year-old Noah Dobson who is equally gunning for a spot on the blueline come the season opener on October 4.
Instagram from @qu\_mih: Check out some photos from our annual alumni game today! Thanks to everyone who came back to Hamden and congrats to Team Toews on earning a big victory led by MVP Jordan Samuels-Thomas! #BobcatNation
"Competition definitely helps," Toews said. "You always want that competitive environment around you when your training and practicing. It's that extra motivation to push each other and work harder. I think when you know the guy next to you is talented and hardworking it makes you want to get that much better. We have a competitive group."
That's part of the reason Toews isn't taking anything for granted. After leading the league in goals against last season, the Islanders are returning Johnny Boychuk, Thomas Hickey, Nick Leddy, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield, so there are seven capable defensemen for six regular spots. The remarkable depth on the Islanders blueline - and last season's success - have set high expectations on the group and they'll have a target on their backs this season.
"That just means we have to work harder," Toews said. "[Other teams] know now that we are going to be tough on them and won't make it easy, but that's just an incentive for us to keep pushing. We have a really good group that works hard and holds each other accountable. So, I think as long as we focus on ourselves and what we can do we'll be fine."
