Avalanche rival's legend breaks silence on the shocking truth behind his retirement
Photo credit: Jonathan Kozub / NHLI
Blake Wheeler, a legendary figure for the Colorado Avalanche's rival Winnipeg Jets, has spoken out for the first time about the surprising truth behind his recent retirement.
Wheeler, the Jets all-time leader officially announced his retirement from the NHL in July.
Blake Wheeler reveals the truth behind his retirement.
Daniel Lucente from Hockey Latest writes that former Jets captain Blake Wheeler told Ken Wiebe that his decision to retire from the NHL was driven by a desire to spend more time with his growing children.
"Only a few weeks ago, Blake Wheeler officially closed the book on his NHL career, retiring after 16 seasons, with 12 of them being spent with the Winnipeg Jets." -Lucente
Wheeler revealed that his retirement was motivated not only by injury, but also by the realization that his kids are growing up too quickly, and he no longer wants to miss those precious moments with them, according to Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press.
"I was missing a lot of things as the kids were getting older, things that I just didn't want to miss anymore. When I got hurt that, to me, felt like a sign that maybe your gut was right. Maybe it really is time." -Wheeler
Wheeler's final season came with the New York Rangers, where he sensed the end was approaching even as the team pursued a Stanley Cup.
That campaign took a devastating turn on February 15, 2024, when a freak collision with Montreal's Jayden Struble resulted in a gruesome knee injury. The following day, the Rangers announced he would miss the remainder of the regular season.
"Wheeler set out to beat his projected return date, and it's something he did, as he rejoined the team and played in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against Florida. It would be his last ever NHL game." -Lucente
Wheeler managed to make one final appearance in Winnipeg, this time wearing the Rangers' blue jersey.
We wish Wheeler all the best in retirement and hope he enjoys plenty of quality time with his kids.
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