Jets place Blake Wheeler on waivers for purpose of buying out contract

WINNIPEG, June 30, 2023 - The Winnipeg Jets announced today that they have placed Blake Wheeler on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying out the final year of his contract.

"We would like to thank Blake for his dedication and service to the Jets, the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba," said Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. "We are incredibly grateful for the contributions that he has made during his 12 seasons with the franchise. Most notably, the seven years when he served as the captain of the Jets and helped lead the team to the 2018 Western Conference Final."

"From the first conversations Blake and I had when I became general manager, I saw his determination to make our club a success," continued Cheveldayoff. "In our time together, I always saw his drive to make himself and his teammates the best they could be through his work on and off the ice. Away from the rink, Blake and his wife Sam strove to embed themselves in the Winnipeg community and they went to great lengths to exercise their celebrity to benefit numerous charitable and humanitarian efforts throughout the city and the province."

Wheeler, 36, leaves the Jets as the franchise leader in regular season games played (897), points (812) assists (550), and shots (2,462), while his 262 goals are the third-most in franchise history. The Plymouth, Minn. native also holds the franchise record for playoff assists (30) and points (39) and is tied with Adam Lowry for the most playoff games with 44. Wheeler also holds the franchise record for assists in a season with 71 in 2018-19 and he led the NHL in assists with 68 in 2017-18. He played in the 2018 and 2019 NHL All-Star Games and was named an NHL Second Team All-Star in 2017-18.

"I want to thank everyone in Winnipeg for all the love and support over these past 12 years," said Blake Wheeler. "It has been my absolute honour and privilege to be a Winnipeg Jet and to represent this city and organization. My family and I can't thank everyone in the city and province enough for everything you've done for us. Winnipeg is always going to be a home to myself, my wife Sam, and our children: Louie, Leni, and Mase. Thank you so much for the support, love and friendship that you've shown us these past 12 years and we look forward to rooting on the Jets in the future."

Wheeler was originally drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round (fifth overall) in the 2004 NHL Draft before signing with the Boston Bruins on July 1/08. Midway through his third season with the Bruins, the Atlanta Thrashers acquired Wheeler along with Mark Stuart for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik on Feb. 18/11. The 6'5" winger ranks second in the 2004 draft class in games played and sits third in goals (312), assists (610), and points (922). Wheeler and the Jets celebrated his 1,000th NHL game on Dec. 5/21 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.