Veteran NHLer Retires After 16 Seasons

Blake Wheeler Retires After 16 NHL Seasons

Wheeler has played for the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets and the Rangers over 16-year NHL career. The Plymouth, Minnesota native totaled nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 54 games with the Blueshirts. He recorded 12 minutes and 43 seconds of ice time during his last NHL season.

Wheeler recorded 321 goals and 922 assists for 943 points in 1,172 games. The Phoenix Coyotes originally drafted him in the first round, fifth overall of the 2004 NHL Draft.

His best goal-scoring season was when he tallied 28 in the 2013-14 season. Wheeler’s top point-getting seasons were when he got 91 twice. He achieved that in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 season, which was also with Winnipeg.

The veteran forward also represented the United States at the international level. He also finishes his career as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (550) and points (897). Wheeler is also second in the Thrashers/Jets franchise history in goals behind Ilya Kovalchuk.

What It Means

The NHL veteran calls it a career and one that was pretty successful. Wheeler was a fixture for the reborn Jets franchise and leaves with his place in the franchise’s record books.

He was a solid forward at both ends of the ice. Wheeler came over from Boston via trade earlier in his career. However, he made himself one of the most-know Winnipeg players when the franchise moved from Atlanta.

He did score goals, but Wheeler also received Selke Trophy votes in four different seasons. Wheeler also finished eighth in the Hart Trophy voting in the 2017-18 campaign.

His time in Winnipeg came to end after his deal was bought out after the 2022-23 season. He played 54 games for the Rangers, but he tore ankle ligaments and broke his fibula while skating for the Blueshirts. Wheeler did appear in one post-season game.