Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews grew up camping and enjoying the outdoors in Canada, and he tries to get back to nature during his offseasons. He’s one of several NHL players talking about the environment during the NHL’s first-ever Green Week.

Toews started to learn about the importance of sustainability and environmental impact when he wanted to take charge of his nutrition.

“I started to learn where my food comes from, and one thing led to another, and I grew passionate about learning about environmental changes and climate change and the energy that we use, food and water consumption,” Toews told For the Win. “Sometimes, I think we live in a world where we’re so disconnected with that. We don’t really realize, we don’t see it first hand, we don’t feel the aftermath of our lifestyle.”

He’s spoken on behalf of the environment in the past. Toews visited the Sierra Club of Illinois to learn about problems in the environment, and showed his support to actor Leonardo DiCaprio when he spoke about climate change in his Oscar acceptance speech.

Love how @LeoDiCaprio took the opportunity in the biggest moment of his career to convey his message. #climatechangeisreal — Jonathan Toews (@JonathanToews) February 29, 2016

During the league’s Green Week, the NHL will offset greenhouse gas emissions with investments into cleaner power, and will restore clean water to the Colorado River.

For Andrew Ference, currently on injured reserve with the Edmonton Oilers, the concept of a more green NHL started in about 2003, when he and some of his Calgary Flames teammates decided to go carbon neutral for a year. He credits leadership from Commissioner Gary Bettman in getting the NHL more involved in environmental sustainability.

“Gary Bettman has a done a lot in making sure teams and arenas are running their operations and more efficiently and with sustainability in mind. For us to get this far, there has to be cooperation across the league. Not just with players and teams here and there, but with everyone working together,” Ference said.

By getting everyone together for the NHL’s first Green Week, Ference said the league is taking a stand.

“We’re sending a clear message that this is important, that this isn’t going away.”

Ference wants to see fans get involved and realize small changes can still make an impact.

“I mean, I eat burgers. I drive a big truck, but I also try to eat vegetarian when I can, and I ride my bike as much as I can. It’s not a chore to ride my bike, I enjoy it, even when it’s minus 20 outside,” he said. “It can scare some people, but a collection of little changes that don’t have to necessarily disrupt your life can have an also have an impact. It’s important to remember that.”

Toews believes the need to help the environment is more important than any political divisions.

“It’s sad that it’s still a debate in this country. It’s mind-blowing in a lot of ways. If we can start having the conversation, at least make people more aware of what’s going on. We live in an age of information. People want to know, and it’s right in front of them. You have access to the information, and once you get that going, people will demand change,” Toews said.

It’s a sentiment that Ference also shares.

“The younger players laugh at people that think like that. If you are convinced that climate change isn’t real, what’s your argument against being environmentalist aware and just making sure you have clean water and air?”



