May 11, 2008
Wheeler Leaving Minnesota
CHN Staff Report
Minnesota is losing Blake Wheeler after all.
The senior-to-be has decided to leave early to pursue a professional career.
It appeared that Phoenix, the team that selected Wheeler No. 5 overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, was not in a hurry to bring Wheeler out of school. But because it's been four years since being drafted, Wheeler can actually be a free agent if he doesn't sign with Phoenix after 30 days, forcing the Coyotes' hand.
Wheeler was taken when he still was in high school. He played one season in the USHL before coming to Minnesota.
The 6-foot-4 Wheeler is the 10th Minnesota player to leave school early to turn pro since the end of the 2005-2006 season.
Wheeler, who has advanced from raw freshman to leader while filling out his 6-foot-4 frame, led the Gophers' in scoring last season with 15 goals and 35 points.
Oh darn.
May 11 2008, 11:03 am by ND
"The 6-foot-4 Wheeler is the 10th Minnesota player to leave school early to turn pro since the end of the 2005-2006 season." - I guess I should not feel so bad about a Maine pogram that has lost its best scoring freshman to the pros two years in a row. Apparently it could be worse. The NHL and NCAA need to take some sort of action to reduce the bleeding from the college game.
May 12 2008, 9:24 am by John Sawyer, Gorham, Maine
Good luck in the pros Blake, thanks for 3 decent years. Hope Hoeffel or Stoa can take over the leadership and add more than 3 goals in the last 20 games of the season next year though. Phoenix might be my new favorite NHL team with all the incoming College talent. Go 'Yotes and Gophs!
May 12 2008, 9:49 am by JM, Minny
Too bad. I wish he would have stayed for one more year.
May 13 2008, 12:51 am by JonB Seattle
As a Badger fan I thought Wheeler had been at Minnesota for at least ten years! He seemed to be their forever.
May 13 2008, 8:44 am by Lucky, WI
I look forward to finishing what we started, in the pros!
May 13 2008, 10:22 am by Big Joe Finley, GF
So big Joe Finley, are you leaving too? Please tell all of us because we all would like to know.
May 13 2008, 4:27 pm by Mike GF ND
The only reason Wheeler is going pro now is becasue he know its his last chance at making it. It isn't because he had a stellar season and the Coyotes are knocking down his door to sign him. His back is against the wall and he knows it.
May 16 2008, 8:41 am by
No, his back is not against the wall. Now is the time to sign. He's healthy and ready to take the next step. College hockey is for the Freshman and Sophmores until the NCAA and NHL work something out. Blake matured greatly from last to this year. Good luck young Gopher!!
May 19 2008, 1:12 pm by Joe, Andover
Another classic example of a Gopher needing to leave b/c of Lucia and his inability to develop players. (same as Okposo). Lucia is an ecotistical idiot and you can expect MN recuiting to go down hill for years to come. Can't wait to see how bad the Gophers will suck this next year! Go SIOUX!!!
May 20 2008, 12:09 pm by MH, Grand Forks
Leave it to a sioux fan to blame Lucia for wheeler leaving early. YOu are a moron. From what I got from this is that if he would not have left he would have been a free agent because he was drafted four years ago and the team that drafed him has only four years from the date of the draft to sign him. Lucia can't develop players? Give me a break. Recruiting going down hill? If this is true, then tell me why does he have the best recruiting class coming in next season? Gophers suck next season? If chorney and finley leave you guys will be in a world of hurt next season.
May 21 2008, 5:11 am by
Looks like Wheeler is a Free Agent! Snubbed by the Coyotes, clearly this was a sign, he was drafted WAY too high in '04. Or maybe he figured he couldn't beat out WI Freshman Turris for a roster spot. Does Sally's bar or Big Ten have any spots available in their bar hockey league?
Go Sioux!
Jun 3 2008, 10:35 am by MH, Grand Forks, ND
