Toews was the selected first overall in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft after having been chosen by the Tri-City Americans, but chose instead to go to college at North Dakota. Toews played two years of prep school hockey at Shattuck-Saint Mary's. In his final season, 2004-05, Toews totaled 110 points (48 goals, 62 assists) in 64 games.

 

In 2005, he was captain of Canada’s Team Western at the World U-17 hockey challenge in Lethbridge, Alberta, capturing the gold and earning the tournament's MVP honor. The following year, he played for Team Canada as a 17-year-old at the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

 

While playing for North Dakota in the 2005-06 season, Toews registered 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists), including 9 power play goals. His +20 was third-best on the team.

In 2007, Toews joined Team Canada for a second time at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He led Team Canada in scoring and led the team to its 3rd straight gold medal. Toews had a superb game in the semi-finals against the United States, scoring 3 goals in the shootout to help defeat the U.S., 2-1. For his efforts, he was named to the tournament's all-star team.

 

Jonathan Toews was honored locally by a hometown team, the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose, on February 3, 2007 in front of more than 8,000 people. He was presented with an honorary jersey. He later signed autographs from the start of the first intermission to the middle of the third period.

 

Also in 2007, Toews was selected to play for Canada once again, at the Men's World Ice Championships. He was the second youngest player on the team. He helped Canada win gold in a 4-2 finals victory over Finland. In doing so, he became the first Canadian to win a world junior championship and an IIHF world hockey championship in the same year.

On May 16, 2007, Toews agreed to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks on a 3-year, entry-level contract.

 

During his first NHL pre-season game, Toews scored a goal and recorded an assist. On October 10, 2007, during his first regular-season game, he scored his first NHL goal on his first shot. He scored a point in each of his first 10 NHL games (5 goals, 5 assists), the second-longest streak to start an NHL career.

 

On Monday, December 3, 2007, blackhawks.nhl.com reported that Blackhawks coach Denis Savard had named Toews an alternate captain for December, along with Brent Seabrook. They joined captain Martin Lapointe.