Wheeler can really do it all; he’s an excellent passer, has a great shot, and uses his 6’5, 225 lb frame to outmuscle opponents. He won MVP at the 2009 YoungStars game with 4 goals and 5 points. The big winger was traded to the Thrashers (now the Jets) in 2011 and was named team Captain in 2016. Wheeler’s 68 assists in 2018 were tied for the most in the NHL.

It was an end of an era when Wheeler was placed on unconditional waivers by the Jets on June 30, 2023, for the purpose of buying out the final year of his contract.

Wheeler left Winnipeg first in games (897), assists (550) and points (812) in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history and third in goals (262). Consistent excellence and being consistently underrated are an unusual combination in professional sports, but Wheeler’s top-level talent has frequently flown under the radar throughout his NHL career.