Avalanche rivals rocked with sad news concerning longtime legend
Photo credit: AP Photo / John Locher
Colorado Avalanche rival the Winnipeg Jets were hit with major news Saturday as longtime captain and franchise points leader Blake Wheeler officially announced his retirement.
Wheeler last played in the NHL with the New York Rangers in the 2023-24 season.
Jets legend announces retirement.
Sportsnet reports that Wheeler wrapped up his NHL career after appearing in 1,172 regular-season games, tallying 321 goals and 943 points.
Here's what Wheeler said during an appearance on CJOB's «Jets at Noon» on Tuesday.
«More or less, right after last year, I knew I was all done. I just didn't have anything left in the tank.» -Wheeler
Wheeler last suited up on February 2024 for the New York Rangers before suffering torn ankle ligaments and a broken fibula. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season, though he managed to return for a single playoff appearance.
"After spending the first two seasons of his career with the Boston Bruins, Wheeler was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011 and stayed with the franchise through its relocation to Winnipeg, eventually becoming team captain in 2016." -Sportsnet
Wheeler retires as the Jets' all-time leader in both assists (550) and points (897), while sitting second in goals scored, trailing only Ilya Kovalchuk.
Wheeler's tenure with the Jets came to an end when the team bought out his contract in 2023, prompting him to sign a one-year deal with the Rangers. He went on to tally nine goals and 21 points in 54 games before suffering the injury.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 19 | 37 ANSWERS Avalanche rivals rocked with sad news concerning longtime legend Do you think former Jets forward Blake Wheeler is a future Hall of Famer? | ||
| yes | 16 | 43.2 % |
| no | 21 | 56.8 % |
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