Former Jets captain officially hangs up blades
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He’d been out of the game for a while, and the end came for a Winnipeg Jets 2.0 legend on Saturday.
The team’s long-time captain, Blake Wheeler, announced his retirement from the NHL after 16 NHL seasons.
Wheeler, 38, hadn’t played a game since the 2023-24 season when he put up nine goals and 21 points in 54 games with the New York Rangers. His regular season was cut short when he was injured on Feb 15, but he did suit up for one playoff game on May 28 against the Florida Panthers. It would be his only playoff appearance that season.
Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler (26) celebrates his goal during first period NHL hockey action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Toronto, Thursday, March 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Wheeler played 13 seasons with the Jets/Thrashers franchise, and was its captain from 2016 to 2022. Wheeler was taken fifth overall in the 2004 draft by the Phoenix Coyotes. He played 1,172 NHL games for the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Jets and Rangers and put up 943 points (321 goals and 622 assists). He also recorded 10 goals and 45 points in 66 playoff games.
After having the captaincy taken away from him in Winnipeg and then being bought out by the team, Wheeler signed with the Rangers.
Wheeler ranks first in games (897), assists (550) and points (812) and fourth in goals (262) in Jets/Thrashers history. His 39 playoff points when the team (nine goals, 30 assists) rank third.
Among American born players in the NHL, Wheeler is 26th in games played, 25th in goals, 11th in assists and 14th in points all-time.
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