13°c Overcast
16°c Cloudy with showers
WINNIPEG JETS
Record: 24 – 21 – 3
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Wheeler's status for game unclear
Blake Wheeler took a puck to the throat in Saturdays loss to New Jersey. (JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Related Items
OTTAWA -- It's hardly the kind of news the goal-starved Winnipeg Jets need, but there is a silver lining.
The club announced Sunday that leading scorer Blake Wheeler would not accompany the team on its flight to Ottawa, as he was being held at Health Sciences Centre for further observation after taking a shot to the throat in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
Wheeler was sent to the hospital after being struck on a shot by the Devils' Petr Sykora in the second period.
A determination as to whether the big right-winger would join the team here for tonight's game against the Senators -- or even Tuesday in Newark for that night's matchup with the New Jersey Devils -- won't be made until he is out of hospital.
The silver lining? Tests revealed no damage to Wheeler's throat or neck.
Said Wheeler via his Twitter account on Sunday: 'Thanks for all the support everyone. Hope to be back soon! #gojetsgo.'
The Jets, who have lost five of their last six, are already without two of their top defenceman in Dustin Byfuglien and Zach Bogosian and Wheeler's potential absence would leave a gaping hole in the offensive attack. Wheeler leads the Jets with 32 points on nine goals and 23 assists.
Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 16, 2012 C3
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More Winnipeg Jets
- Back to Top
- Return to Winnipeg Jets
Poll
Most Popular Winnipeg Jets
- Ready for prime time
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Colts drop Game 7 in OHL final
- Jets sign defenceman
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Jets have Olli on board
- New run of Jets licence plates will include those for motorcycles
- Jets prospect Lowry named WHL's player of the year
- Ready for prime time
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Colts drop Game 7 in OHL final
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Jets sign defenceman
- Jets have Olli on board
- Jets prospect Lowry named WHL's player of the year
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Young prospects will get every opportunity to stick with the big club: Cheveldayoff
- It's broke - Fix it
- Jets' playoff hopes dealt fatal blow
- This end-of-season scenario old, and Jets fans and players know it
- Win against Montreal Jets' last hope in playoff push
- Jets edge Sabres
- Caps just too much for Jets
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- It's broke - Fix it
- Summer could be a sizzler
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Saturday's game had it all -- what a blast
- Jets edge Sabres
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Redmond's rescuers to receive honour
- Current Jets tackle trivia test — and so can you
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.