After sitting out the 2024-25 season, former Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] forward Blake Wheeler has officially announced his retirement. Wheeler started his NHL career with the Bruins after signing his entry-level contract with them during the 2008 NHL off-season. This was after the Minnesota native finished his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota and chose not to sign with the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2004, the Phoenix Coyotes. From there, Wheeler played his first three NHL seasons from 2008-09 and 2010-11 with the Bruins. In 221 games with the Original Six club over that span, he recorded 50 goals, 60 assists, 110 points, and a plus-40 rating. This included him posting 21 goals and 45 points in 81 games with the Bruins during his rookie year. Wheeler's time with the Bruins ended at the 2011 NHL trade deadline, as he was dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers with Mark Stuart in the trade that brought Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik to Boston. The move to Winnipeg benefited Wheeler tremendously, as he blossomed into a legitimate star with the Jets and was even their captain for multiple years. Overall, Wheeler had himself a very good NHL career. In 16 seasons split between the Bruins, Thrashers, Jets, and New York Rangers, he posted 321 goals, 622 assists, 943 points, and a plus-67 rating. He was also a two-time NHL All-Star Game participant and made the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2018. Bruins Made Fantastic Move With Important Defenseman [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b3e86b26-fcc3-4228-b866-ee096667ba5c.webp] Bruins Made Fantastic Move With Important Defenseman The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins">Boston Bruins</a> have made several moves so far this off-season. Besides bringing in plenty of new players, they also re-signed some of their important players. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/bruins-made-fantastic-move-with-important-defenseman] Photo Credit: © Kevin Hoffman-Imagn Images
