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Former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler could have hung up the skates, however he’s not stepping away from the sport. On Monday, the New York Rangers introduced that Wheeler has joined their entrance workplace as a hockey operations advisor.
#NYR Hockey Operations Employees updates:
– Ryan Martin has been promoted to Affiliate Basic Supervisor and can proceed in his position as Basic Supervisor of the Wolf Pack.– Jim Sullivan has been promoted to Assistant Basic Supervisor.– Ryane Clowe has been named Assistant Basic… pic.twitter.com/np49OrAB14
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 8, 2025
The 39-year-old winger formally retired in July after 16 NHL seasons. He spent the vast majority of his profession with the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets group but in addition suited up for the Boston Bruins early in his profession and closed issues out with the Rangers through the 2023–24 season.
Wheeler was a popular presence in New York throughout his lone 12 months with the staff, in keeping with reporter Vince Mercogliano. He posted 9 objectives and 12 assists in 54 video games earlier than struggling torn ankle ligaments and a damaged fibula on Feb. 15. He returned for one playoff look within the Jap Convention Last towards the Florida Panthers however was unable to play the remainder of the sequence.
Over his profession, Wheeler appeared in 1,172 regular-season video games with the Rangers, Jets, Thrashers and Bruins, tallying 321 objectives and 943 factors. The Plymouth, Minn., native finishes because the Jets’ all-time chief in assists (550) and factors (897), whereas rating second in objectives behind Ilya Kovalchuk.
It’s unclear whether or not the Jets ever thought-about bringing Wheeler into their very own entrance workplace. Given the group stripped him of the captaincy earlier than the 2022–23 season, either side could have felt a contemporary begin was greatest.
Nonetheless, Wheeler’s impression on Winnipeg hockey is plain. He was the face of the franchise for a lot of the previous decade, and he stays one of many best gamers in Jets historical past. Better of luck to Blake in his new position with the Rangers.