Top 10 scorer is the Wheel deal

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This article was published 04/01/2016 (3926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — He’s no Gretzky or Hawerchuk. And he’d never be so boastful as to put himself in a discussion with the current stars of the game such as Patrick Kane, Tyler Seguin, Jonathan Toews, Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin.

But scroll down the list of the National Hockey League’s top scorers and, heading into Sunday’s game in Anaheim against the Ducks, there was Winnipeg Jets right-winger Blake Wheeler, tied for seventh overall with 10 goals, 29 assists and 39 points.

It’s not that there haven’t been flashes over the years that would have hinted at this kind of production from the 29-year-old Minnesotan. He’s got the prototypical power-forward build at 6-5, 225, and explosive, runaway-train speed. But he’s also been so critical of his game over the past few years it seemed occasionally detrimental, from the outside at least.

That’s changed this season with Wheeler. He and linemate Bryan Little are the two mos1t consistent point producers for the Jets. And if you’re thinking there is some sort of magical transformation at play here, take a breath.

Wheeler’s answer to taking that proverbial next step is as honest as his game.

“I just think I’m one of those late bloomers,” said Wheeler prior to Sunday’s game. “I’m just one of those guys that it took a while to turn into a man, physically and mentally. I’ve grown up a lot in the last few years. The way I approach things, the way I take care of myself, I’ve come a long way since I was a rookie. There’s a lot of that that goes into it and then there’s a lot of just the natural course of growing up.

“I feel as good as ever out there right now.”

Wheeler picked up his 400th career point in Saturday’s win over San Jose — one that was the perfect representation of his game. Gobbling up a turnover by Joel Ward with the Sharks on the power play, Wheeler rocketed into the San Jose zone and fed a perfect pass to Drew Stafford for a short-handed marker.

He was told afterward about it being his 400th point, but was more interested in chatting about the team’s victory than any personal accomplishment. That says something, too, about Wheeler’s growth and maturation.

‘I just think I’m one of those late bloomers. I’m just one of those guys that it took awhile to turn into a man, physically and mentally’

— Blake Wheeler (right), celebrating a goal with defenceman Toby Enstrom

“There’s really no time for reflection, but I’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “I’ve played with some great players my entire career. My first game with Boston I’m playing with David Krejci… the majority of the last five years I’m playing with Litts (Bryan Little) and Andrew Ladd.

“There’s an element of feeling lucky for the opportunities I’ve received. I’m just happy with where I’m at right now.”

Where he is right now seems light years from 11-1/2 years ago, when the Phoenix Coyotes made him the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft after a stellar career at the University of Minnesota. He would balk at signing with the Coyotes, instead signing with the Bruins after his college days. Then, in what would have to be considered one of Rick Dudley’s shrewdest deals, he was acquired by Atlanta from the Bruins — along with Mark Stuart — for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik.

But the player we are watching now has far more layers to his game than the guy who arrived in Manitoba when the Thrashers relocated in 2011.

“He is a pure pro,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice. “He has an idea of what his game is supposed to look like every night and he goes out and just does the same things over and over. It’s incredibly intensity on the puck, he’s never, ever cheating to the offensive side. The points are almost a byproduct of what he does, they’re not a goal or focus in his game.

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“He brings so much. He’s just a great, great pro and a great example for our young players.”

Wheeler was young once, too. And maybe understanding all the chapters involved in his own path to the NHL’s Top 10 scoring list can rub off on a Mark Scheifele, a Nikolaj Ehlers or a Jacob Trouba. It’s about nutrition, understanding your game, maturing… being a pro.

‘He is a pure pro. He has an idea of what his game is supposed to look like every night and he goes out and just does the same things over and over’

— Jets coach Paul Maurice, on Wheeler

“It’s all that stuff,” said Wheeler. “You’ve also got to take into account that a lot of guys, when they’re playing in the NHL at 18 or 19, it’s been their life since they were nine, 10, 11. Hockey wasn’t my life until I was 18 or 19. I was just as focused on other things… football… as I was on hockey. You get drafted fifth overall and it kind of accelerates things a little bit.

“That pushed me in the right direction to know what I was capable of. And from there it’s been a process to get to this point. I’ve had a lot of people keep the faith in me, so I’m fortunate for that.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait