On Monday night, I went to cover a Chicago Blackhawks game that felt like a significantly bigger moment than a divisional rivalry on a Monday night in January.
Jonathan Toews, the longest-tenured captain in the history of the franchise, was playing his first game as a visitor. When a legend comes “home,” there are ceremonies and celebrations. And this was no different. After the Jets’ morning skate, the Winnipeg media team set up a press conference… on the road. Toews spoke to the media for some time about returning to Chicago where he put together a Hall of Fame resume as a three-time champion.
During the first television timeout during the first period of the game, there was a video tribute for Toews. It was followed by one of the loudest, longest, thundering ovations anyone in the arena had ever heard or been a part of. It was remarkable, authentic and filled with love — from the fans to Toews, and from Toews back to the fans who had adored him for nearly half of his life.
It was awesome.
Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesBut there was a game to play. That’s always the hardest part of nights like Monday. How do the fans move on emotionally from that ovation? How do the players? How the heck does Toews not need some time to compose himself?
A couple minutes after the Toews tribute, the cameras in the United Center (and apparently the CHSN broadcast) cut to the front row in the corner of the ice where the Blackhawks were shooting in the first period. Sitting on the glass: Bears quarterback Caleb Williams — in a black Connor Bedard jersey. After a second, he pointed to his right, where the camera panned back to show us Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong — in a red Connor Murphy jersey.
Crowd FIRED UP to see Caleb Williams on the glass at the #Blackhawks game tonight pic.twitter.com/NktB2ocDcz
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 20, 2026Williams clapped, pounded the glass and, as the ovation he received got louder, mouthed “Let’s f***ing go!” and clapped some more. That got the volume in the United Center up another level.
When Blackhawks fans started chanting “Green Bay sucks!” you could see Williams pump his fist in the air.
The atmosphere was electric. The vibes felt like they were incredibly high.
PCA and QB1 disappeared for a bit during the second period, but returned to their seats during the third period. Every time the camera cut to the two young stars sitting front row, the place went nuts.
We’ve seen players showing up at other sporting events forever in this city. I tweeted an image of Alex Bregman at the Hawks game a couple days after he signed with the Cubs. Bregman has also been to Bears and Bulls games, completing his jersey collection before the end of his first two weeks as a Cub. Nicely done!
It’s been a thing for years. Free suite for the new guy and his family to get an ovation? Nice touch.
But here’s where things took another turn for me on Monday night. As we were hustling from the press box to the media area to drop off our coats and bags and go in the room to talk to players, we came around the bend where the Ketel One Club is located and there’s a group of folks taking pictures with… Caleb Williams. He was waiting for his buddy PCA to come back and join him.
When the media was in the Blackhawks’ room after the game, it wasn’t the usual, quiet, players running for their cars while the 2-3 guys who have to answer questions in front of the cameras handle the professional end of the game they love. There was a group of Blackhawks players still there.
And… Williams and PCA were there.
Caleb Williams and PCA were in the Blackhawks locker room postgame talking with a bunch of the guys. @JackBushman2 confirmed that Caleb got his Bedard jersey signed by Connor before leaving pic.twitter.com/Awyu1pfs9H
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) January 20, 2026We’ve seen PCA on the field at Bears games and videos of him chopping it up with Williams after games on the gridiron. Now, those two were at the United Center chatting with the young future of the Blackhawks.
And, yes, Williams did in fact get Bedard to sign his jersey before leaving.
The fact that Chicago has this collection of young, talented, producing players at the same time is fun. There have been a few rare “eras” in Chicago sports history where multiple teams in this gorgeous city were at the top of their games.
Right now, it feels like the Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks and, yes, even the White Sox, could have an up arrow next to them with the young players on their rosters now and what’s coming.
To see the centerpieces of three of those teams hanging out and supporting each other like this?
Amazing.
After the game, I asked Jeff Blashill his thoughts on seeing young players from other teams at the Hawks game.
“That ovation [for Williams] was incredible,” Blashill said. “Out of nowhere, guys on the ice were like, ‘I thought a fight was going on.’ … There’s some really, really young, super-talented athletes in this city and hopefully all of them can really enjoy success here moving forward. It’s probably an unmatched sports city, so it’s really cool to be a part of.”
Hell yeah it is!
Going into Monday night, it felt like an opportunity for maybe a passing of the torch moment for Blackhawks fans as Toews played against Bedard. At the end of the night, I walked out of the United Center having watched the future of Chicago sports together. That’s special.
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