Wheeler says donning the ‘C’ would be an honour

By: Ed Tait Posted: 9:41 AM CDT Monday, Apr. 11, 2016

He’s been the de facto captain since the day Andrew Ladd made his exit. And, if asked, Blake Wheeler would love to see the letter "C" stitched on the front of his Winnipeg Jets jersey.

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He’s been the de facto captain since the day Andrew Ladd made his exit. And, if asked, Blake Wheeler would love to see the letter "C" stitched on the front of his Winnipeg Jets jersey.

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This article was published 11/04/2016 (3464 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He’s been the de facto captain since the day Andrew Ladd made his exit. And, if asked, Blake Wheeler would love to see the letter “C” stitched on the front of his Winnipeg Jets jersey.

“Obviously everyone wants to wear the ‘C’,” said Wheeler Monday morning, as the Jets met with the media on locker clean-out day.

“There’s a lot of pride that comes with that. Given that opportunity I would respect that and wear it with pride. That being said, there’s going to be a lot of conversations had internally to try and find out who the best fit is for the organization.”

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Jets Blake Wheeler speaks to media at the MTS Centre on Monday. — JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets Blake Wheeler speaks to media at the MTS Centre on Monday.

Wheeler has worn an alternate captain’s letter for a couple of seasons. But even before Ladd was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, Wheeler had been seen as the team’s conscience, a player who wore his emotions on his sleeve and pushed to improve his game.

He is coming off a season in which he set a career high in points with 78 (26 goals and 52 assists) and his play on a line with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers was one of the few silver linings in a season gone bad.

He was almost daily praised by coach Paul Maurice for his work instilling a level of expectation down the stretch when the Jets had tumbled out of the playoff picture.

Wheeler’s name has been most prominent when the captaincy discussion is broached, along with Mark Scheifele, Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little.

“We’ve had a lot of guys step up,” said Wheeler. “Our leadership’s been pretty strong. Even when Laddy was here I think myself and Stuie (Mark Stuart) and Chris Thorburn and Buff amongst other guys have taken the reins and tried to fill the void. When Laddy was traded I think everyone stepped up a little bit and had to take on a little bit more than they did before to show some of the young guys what it looks like every single day.

“The last 20 or so games could have fallen off the rails pretty quick.”