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Former Jets Captain Blake Wheeler Reveals the Real Reason He Retired from the NHL

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Aug 8, 2025 3:34 PM ET

Former Jets captain Blake Wheeler revealed to Ken Wiebe that he decided to retire from the NHL so that he could spend more time with his aging kids.

Only a few weeks ago, Blake Wheeler officially closed the book on his NHL career, retiring after 16 seasons, with 12 of them being spent with the Winnipeg Jets.

Blake Wheeler revealed that his retirement was not just due to injury, but also because his kids are growing up too fast and he no longer wants to miss those precious moments with them, per Ken Wiebe 'The Winnipeg Free Press.'

'I was missing a lot of things as the kids were getting older, things that I just didn't want to miss anymore. When I got hurt that, to me, felt like a sign that maybe your gut was right. Maybe it really is time.'
- Blake Wheeler

His final year came with the New York Rangers, where he sensed the end was near, while his team was chasing a Stanley Cup.

That season took a turn on Feb. 15, 2024, when a freak collision with Montreal's Jayden Struble caused an absolutely horrific knee injury. The next day, the Rangers ruled him out for the rest of the regular season.

Wheeler set out to beat his projected return date, and it's something he did, as he rejoined the team and played in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against Florida. It would be his last ever NHL game.

Wheeler did get one final appearance in Winnipeg wearing the Rangers' blue jersey.

Reflecting on his dozen seasons with the Jets, Wheeler expressed gratitude for the place where he became an all-star and was known as one of the league's premier passers.

Wheeler Took Over as Captain of the Jets After Andrew Ladd's Departure in 2016

After Andrew Ladd's departure in 2016, he wore the «C» for six seasons in Winnipeg. Wheeler was known for relentless effort. He is a strong candidate to have his No. 26 retired in Winnipeg one day, something fans would no doubt love to see.

His journey wasn't without turbulence, though, as he lost the captaincy before his final Jets season, and he had the last year of his contract bought out. Wheeler says that he holds no grudges for these two situations.