Rangers Agree to Terms with Blake Wheeler

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Blake Wheeler on a one-year contract.

Wheeler, 36, skated in 72 games for the Winnipeg Jets in 2022-23, recording 16 goals and 39 assists for 55 points. Wheeler added seven power play goals, the second most of his career, and a career-high tying six game-winning goals. On the Jets, Wheeler ranked tied for fourth in goals, third in assists and fifth in points.

The Plymouth, Minnesota native has appeared in 1,118 games over 15 seasons between the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers and Boston Bruins, tallying 312 goals and 610 assists for 922 points and a plus-65 rating. He played in the 2018 and 2019 NHL All-Star Games and was named an NHL Second Team All-Star in 2017-18. Among players from the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, he ranks first in games played and sits third in goals, assists, and points. In addition, Wheeler 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. He served as captain of the team from 2016-2022.

Wheeler saw career-highs in points (91) in each of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons and a career-high in assists (71) in 2017-18. His career-high tally in goals was the 28 he compiled in 2013-14.

A 6-5, 220-pounder, Wheeler has also skated in 65 playoff games, compiling 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points. In the 2018 postseason, his 18 assists ranked tied for second in the NHL while his 21 points ranked tied for fifth.

Internationally, Wheeler represented the United States at the 2014 Olympics, 2016 World Cup of Hockey, 2011 World Championship and 2006 World Junior Championship.

Wheeler was originally selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft but signed with the Bruins out of college in 2008.