Jonathan Toews

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 8: Jonathan Toews (L) and Patrick Kane (R)

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:
*German (father)
*French-Canadian (mother)

Jonathan Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was a centre with, and team captain of, the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). 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

ethnic

Curious about ethnicity

10 Responses

  1. bablah says:

    Jonathan Toews’ ancestors were from Zaporozhia, not Bessarabia. They were Russian Mennonites.

  2. andrew says:

    There should be a tag for all German-descendants from Russia. Were his forebears from Bessarabia or Volga region?

    • bablah says:

      Uh, I don’t actually remember, but they were Mennonites I think. Possibly from Ukraine, or not. I’ll check it out later when my computer’s on.

  3. bearboy says:

    Anyone else here a big NHL fan?

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