1000-Game Veteran and Former Captain Announces his Retirement from the NHL
Blake Wheeler, the former captain of the Winnipeg Jets, has just recently announced his retirement while on a podcast after a successful NHL career.
While former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler has not yet officially announced his retirement, a recent appearance on a podcast suggests that it's likely coming soon.
On the 'Beyond High Performance' podcast, the 38-year-old spoke with leadership coach Dan Leffelaar about no longer being able to summon the emotional drive to take on an NHL season.
Blake Wheeler, who had his contract with the Jets bought out prior to last season, played this past year on a one-year contract with the New York Rangers.
A serious leg injury in February did limit him to just 54 games, in which he recorded nine goals and 21 points, plus one additional point in the playoffs.
Stats don't tell the full story, Wheeler stressed, adding to the unquantifiable emotional toll of competing at the highest level.
He and guest co-star Andrew Ladd, another former captain of the Jets, spent ample time during the podcast saluting ex-Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice, not only for his ability to inspire players but to refuel their love for the game.
Dan Leffelaar also made reference to some well-known clips showcasing Wheeler's sometimes combative tangles with reporters, bringing further depth to the conversation.
We wish Wheeler all the best in whatever he chooses to do going forward.
