Blake Wheeler is one of the perennial power forwards in today’s NHL, as an All-Star calibre winger on the Winnipeg Jets. He’s got two straight 91-point seasons, and he led the league in assists two years ago. At 33-years-old, he’s aged like fine wine, putting the Jets (formerly the Atlanta Thrashers) on his back some nights.
However, it took him a while to get there. One of the weirdest stories to tell about Wheeler and his development path revolves around the team that initially drafted him, all the way back in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the then-Phoenix Coyotes (obviously the Arizona Coyotes today).
After a few years in the American USHL and NCAA developmental system, Wheeler signed a contract with the Boston Bruins, reuniting with University of Minnesota Gophers star Phil Kessel, leaving his draft team the Coyotes as a UFA in the process.
But why did this happen? That’s what we’ll be answering in this video.
SOURCES:
– 2004 NHL Central Scouting List: https://www.thedraftanalyst.com/rankings/year-to-year-central-scouting-rankings/2004-2/2004-csb-final-na-skaters/
– Hockey’s Future 2004 Mock Draft: http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/7030/hockeys_future2004_staff_mock_draft/
– USHL / College Hockey Article: https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2006/11/29_teamof.php
– Phoenix Coyotes Statement On Wheeler: https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/former-coyotes-draft-pick-blake-wheeler-elects-for-free-agency/c-428124
– Winnipeg Sun Article On Wheeler: https://winnipegsun.com/2015/01/17/blake-wheeler-reflects-on-500-nhl-games/wcm/90775cd4-b569-4f50-8b85-5a50174b7c0d
Twitter: @LR99Gaming
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Hi. I’m Gio Palermo, also known as legorocks99Gaming (“legorocks99”, “LR99Gaming”, or “LR99”). I post video game commentaries on YouTube revolving around hockey and Vancouver Canucks topics. I enjoy making these videos and I hope that you enjoy watching them!
I am also a student at the BCIT Radio Arts & Entertainment program, and this YouTube channel is an essential part of my 2019 BCIT radio portfolio.
16 Comments
Basically he was drafted out of a bchl league lol
I actually just learned not long ago the Yotes drafted him, which came as a big surprise. I thought Boston drafted him.
Wait, you can get drafted from highschool?
I like this style. Campfire stories with Gio 🙂
The coyotes had Dubnyk
So this was not the only time Coyotes franchise went off the board. I wonder if they’ll keep Barnett Hayton, also at No,5., would be seen in a Coyotes Jersey. Even if Hayton turns out being a good player, they could of traded down a couple, I’m sure Benning would of given something significant to move from 7 to 5 spot to draft Hughes. It’s strange how that franchise works
Hey Lego, you planning on making a video on Justin Bailey?
:52 Huh??
10:47 Did you say Wash-tech Wall-ski?
Was it O'Connell or Chirelli that traded Wheeler to the Thrashers? Either way..what a bad move.
High Schooler pick is a wasted pick. They were lucky he was still a worthy candidate after the minors and college.
Wheeler is a beast!! A beast that gets no love from media, outside of Winnipeg. A crying shame.
Interesting to note that Wheeler didn't really become "elite" until after 2014 Olympics at 26 years old. He was the 10th skater so he didn't get much ice time but he said just hanging out with the best in the world showed him what he had to do to take his game to the next level. Big difference in his game pre and post olympics. He is the hardest working jet on the ice every game.
Playing in MN HS means you're playing against a lot of peasants compared to the top prospects in the CHL and even Junior A. Phoenix shouldn't have drafted him that high and then they lost him for nothing.
Why does he talk so fast and make it so you can’t understand what in the world he is saying? Just sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo….
Funny how he ended up in Winnipeg, the original Phoenix Coyotes.