Winnipeg Jets Blake Wheeler joins EHC Red Bull Munchen of Germany -NHL Lockout Update
The list of Winnipeg Jets players who have gone abroad to continue playing just got longer as right winger, Blake Wheeler, became the latest to go off and pursue hockey while the National Hockey League (NHL) goes through with an unforgiving lockout.
According to sources, Blake Wheeler signed on with German ice hockey club, the EHC Red Bull Munchen of the German Elite League and could be playing as soon as this week as they go up against Dusseldorf.
After waiting for the lockout to come to an end, Blake Wheeler had enough and decided that he could not wait any longer for something that just will not be coming around as both stakeholders are currently deadlocked, yet again.
“It’s time to get moving,” Wheeler said in a telephone interview from Minneapolis, according to the Winnipeg Sun. “Munich is a great city, the DEL is a good league and all of that made it a good opportunity to keep developing, skill-wise and get back into
game shape, which is probably the most important thing. “I have quite a few buddies that I’ve played college with (at the University of Minnesota) that are over there and playing well. It helps your comfort level. It should be a really good experience. I’m
excited.”
Wheeler is a 26-year-old native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, United States and was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes as the fifth overall back during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He never got to play with his original draft team but was picked up by Boston Bruins
for three season, then shifting to the Atlanta Thrashers, which relocate North and became the Winnipeg Jets last season.
Last season, the 2011-2012 regular hockey year, was by far his best as he broke out of the barrier and scored 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) in 80 games played with the Canadian club. In total, Blake Wheeler holds a record of 324 games played with 191
points, 74 goals and 117 assists along with 200 minutes in penalty time.
The youngster is also on a two-year deal for $5.1 million, which will be coming to an end after next season.
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