Blake Wheeler
Blake James Wheeler (born August 31, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey right winger. He is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has also played for the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League (NHL). He also played for EHC München in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
| Blake Wheeler | |
|---|---|
 Wheeler with the Jets in 2014 | |
| Born | August 31, 1986
(aged 39) |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) |
| Position | Right Wing |
| Shoots | Right |
| NHL team Former teams |
Free agent Boston Bruins Atlanta Thrashers Winnipeg Jets EHC München New York Rangers |
| National team |  United States
|
| NHL Draft | 5th overall, 2004 Phoenix Coyotes |
| Playing career | 2008–present |
Career
Before playing in the NHL, Wheeler played 1 season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He also played 3 years of college ice hockey at the University of Minnesota. During his time with University of Minnesota, he was named the WCHA Most Valuable Player in Tournament in 2007.[1]
Wheeler was drafted with the 5th overall pick by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Wheeler and the Coyotes could not agree on a contract and he signed an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2008.[2] On October 9, he scored played in his first NHL games and also scored his first NHL goal against Peter Budaj of the Colorado Avalanche.[3]
On February 18, 2011, he was traded along with Mark Stuart to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Boris Valabik and Rich Peverley.[4] On July 18, 2011, he signed a two-year, $5.1 million deal with the Jets when the Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg.[5]
On October 28, 2012, Wheeler signed a contract to play for EHC München in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) while the NHL was in a lockout.[6] He would return after it ended and become the third-highest paid Jets player after he signed a six years, $33.6 million contract with the team on July 26, 2013.[7] On September 4, 2018, Wheeler signed a five-year; $41.25 million extension to stay with the Jets.[8] On July 1, 2023, the Jets would buy out the rest of Wheeler's contract. He would leave the team as the Jet's all-time leader in both points and assists and was the last player that remained from the team's time in Atlanta.[9]
On July 1, 2023, Wheeler signed a one-year; $800,000 contract with the New York Rangers.[10] He would end up playing 54 games with them before being placed on the injured reserve list after injuring his right leg in a game against the Montreal Canadiens and having to be helped off the ice.[11]
Blake Wheeler Media
Wheeler played with the University of Minnesota from 2005 to 2008.
Wheeler practicing with the Boston Bruins in November 2008.
Wheeler with the Jets in November 2013
Wheeler (left) with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and John Carlson in a ceremony for American-bound Olympians to the 2014 Winter Olympics. Both Carlson and Wheeler were members of Team USA in 2014.
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References
- ↑ Gophers Defeat N.D. In OT, 3-2WCCO-TV. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ↑ Boston Bruins Sign Forward Blake WheelerBoston Bruins. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ↑ Game Boxscore: Boston @ Colorado - 10/09/2008NHL. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ↑ Bruins land Peverley for Wheeler, StuartNHL. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ↑ Wheeler Among Seven Jets Signings on MondayThe Sports Network. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ↑ Red Bull commit to NHL star Blake WheelerEHC München (in German). Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ↑ Jets, Blake Wheeler agree to 6-year, $33.6M dealCBC Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ↑ Jets sign Blake Wheeler to a five-year contract extensionWinnipeg Jets. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ↑ End of an Era: Winnipeg Jets buy out former captain Blake WheelerWinnipeg Sun. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ↑ Former Jets captain Blake Wheeler joins Rangers on one-year dealSportsnet. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ↑ Rangers Blake Wheeler Suffers First Period Right Leg Injury vs. CanadiensThe Hockey News. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
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