Before playing in the NHL, Wheeler played 1 season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He also played 3 years of college ice hockey at the University of Minnesota. During his time with University of Minnesota, he was named the WCHA Most Valuable Player in Tournament in 2007.[1]
Wheeler was drafted with the 5th overall pick by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Wheeler and the Coyotes could not agree on a contract and he signed an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2008.[2] On October 9, he scored played in his first NHL games and also scored his first NHL goal against Peter Budaj of the Colorado Avalanche.[3]
On February 18, 2011, he was traded along with Mark Stuart to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Boris Valabik and Rich Peverley.[4] On July 18, 2011, he signed a two-year, $5.1 million deal with the Jets when the Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg.[5]
On October 28, 2012, Wheeler signed a contract to play for EHC München in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) while the NHL was in a lockout.[6] He would return after it ended and become the third-highest paid Jets player after he signed a six years, $33.6 million contract with the team on July 26, 2013.[7] On September 4, 2018, Wheeler signed a five-year; $41.25 million extension to stay with the Jets.[8] On July 1, 2023, the Jets would buy out the rest of Wheeler's contract. He would leave the team as the Jet's all-time leader in both points and assists and was the last player that remained from the team's time in Atlanta.[9]
On July 1, 2023, Wheeler signed a one-year; $800,000 contract with the New York Rangers.[10] He would end up playing 54 games with them before being placed on the injured reserve list after injuring his right leg in a game against the Montreal Canadiens and having to be helped off the ice.[11]
References
↑"Gophers Defeat N.D. In OT, 3-2". WCCO-TV. Archived from the original on 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2014-04-04. {{cite web}}: More than one of |archivedate= and |archive-date= specified (help); More than one of |archiveurl= and |archive-url= specified (help)
