Profile Text
Toews in 2010, photo by Debby Wong /Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Jonathan Bryan Toews
Place of Birth: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date of Birth: April 29, 1988
Ethnicity: * father – German * mother – French-Canadian
Jonathan Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. A centre, he plays for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL); and has also been with the Canada national team. He previously played with, and captained, the Chicago Blackhawks. He is nicknamed “Captain Serious.”
Jonathan is the son of Andrée Gilbert, a credit union managing director and finance expert, and Bryan Toews, an electrician. His brother, David Toews, is also a professional ice hockey player. His cousin is professional basketball player Kai Toews. His paternal ancestors were Mennonites. They were ethnic Germans from Zaporozhia, Ukraine. His mother is from Sainte-Marie, Québec.
Jonathan’s paternal grandfather was Leonard P. Toews (the son of Cornelius T. Toews and Maria Penner). Leonard was born in Manitoba, Canada. Cornelius was born in Manitoba, the son of Peter B. Toews and Anna B. Toews, who were ethnic Germans, from South Russia. Maria was born in Manitoba, the daughter of Heinrich Penner and Maria Friesen, who were also ethnic Germans, from South Russia.
Jonathan’s paternal grandmother was Mary Norma Reimer (the daughter of Klaas S. Reimer and Sarah K. Dueck). Mary was born in Steinbach, Rural Municipality of Hanover, Manitoba, Canada, and was from a family of ethnic Germans, from Molotschna Colony, South Russia. Klaas was born in Manitoba, the son of Peter W. Reimer and Gottliebe Sharein. Sarah was the daughter of Johann R. Dueck and Margaretha P. Kroeker.
Sources: Genealogy of Jonathan Toews (focusing on his father’s side) – http://reidgen.com
Obituary of Jonathan’s paternal grandfather, Leonard P. Toews – http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com
Obituary of Jonathan’s paternal grandmother, Mary Norma (Reimer) Toews – http://www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.mb.ca