Signed as a free agent by Munchen (Germany), October 28, 2012. His contract is hefty and while it is much less of a problem now that Dustin Byfuglien is gone. After years of patient development, the Jets look like one of the NHL's top teams in 2017-18. A useful player to be sure but from a value standpoint, it was a deal that made no sense for Boston to make. All rights reserved. [9] After being hit by a puck in practice during the 2009 pre-season, Blake added a visor to his helmet. Traded to Atlanta by Boston with Mark Stuart for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik, February 18, 2011. 2009-10 Upper Deck Champ's Hockey Green #8 Blake Wheeler Boston Bruins. Wheeler made the team out of training camp and scored his first NHL goal in Boston's season-opening 5-4 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 9, 2008. At the time many felt the trade was a win for Peter Chiarelli and company, as the veteran winger played a key role in helping the club win the 2011 Stanley Cup and some still believe that to be true to this day. Blake James Wheeler (born August 31, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey right winger and captain of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). And it is not necessarily the contract itself, but the fact that the Jets like most NHL teams value older players with experience more than they value younger players who are better at the moment. Boston, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced Tuesday that the club has signed forward Blake Wheeler to an entry-level contract. Of the four players who were involved in the trade, Wheeler is the only one currently playing in the NHL and still has plenty of gas left in the tank. At this point, it’s safe to say Blake Wheeler chose the latter. In the 2007 WCHA Final Five tournament, Wheeler recorded a hat trick in a 4–2 win in the semifinal game against the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He scored 26 goals for the third straight season and finished with 74 points. [8], Being named to the 2009 NHL YoungStars Game to represent the rookies, he earned Game MVP honors after a four-goal effort to beat the sophomores 9–5. Thumbnail photo via [12] On August 31, 2016, Wheeler was named the captain of the Jets. Wheeler attended Breck School his freshman year through his junior year. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'thehockeywriters_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',657,'0','0']));With that in mind, one has no choice but to take a step back and re-examine the deal from a different angle. Two days later, on October 9, Wheeler scored his first NHL goal, in his NHL debut, against goaltender Peter Budaj of the Colorado Avalanche. “I was an inconsistent player and had an inconsistent role,” Wheeler told the Winnipeg Free Press’ Mike Sawatzky ahead of Thursday’s Jets-Bruins game. In short, he has been extremely productive and turned into one of the best players to have suited up for the Jets 2.0. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. $2.55. shipping: + $1.99 shipping . The other hard part of evaluating Wheeler is his contract. 2010-11 SP Authentic Hockey #15 Blake Wheeler Boston Bruins. Wheeler was born in Plymouth, Minnesota, but grew up in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Though not drafted by the organization, as Wheeler signed as free agent in July 2008 after failing to come to terms on an agreement with the Phoenix Coyotes on an entry-level deal, he was supposed to be a key piece to their future puzzle. [15], On September 4, 2018, Wheeler signed a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension with the Jets. The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Blake Wheeler of the Winnipeg Jets eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'thehockeywriters_com-leader-1','ezslot_1',656,'0','0']));Having already picked up Chris Kelly from the Ottawa Senators earlier in that same week and agreeing in principle but not announcing a deal to acquire Tomas Kaberle from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the general manager suddenly had his hands tied. Who wins the series? [At the time of writing], the Plymouth native is a perennial 25-goal/70-point man and has scored 150 times and picked up 262 points in 485 games since leaving Beantown. $1.00. He was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round, fifth overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Power Rankings: Predators, Bruins, Jets pace the Cawlidge Hawkey edition In honor of this weekend's Frozen Four, we've dedicated this week's rankings to alumni of the college ranks -- players like Kyle Turris (Wisconsin), Charlie McAvoy (Boston University) and Blake Wheeler (Minnesota) -- …