The Winnipeg Jets announced today that they have placed Blake Wheeler on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying out the final year of his contract.
“We would like to thank Blake for his dedication and service to the Jets, the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba,” said Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “We are incredibly grateful for the contributions that he has made during his 12 seasons with the franchise. Most notably, the seven years when he served as the captain of the Jets and helped lead the team to the 2018 Western Conference Final.”
“From the first conversations Blake and I had when I became general manager, I saw his determination to make our club a success,” continued Cheveldayoff. “In our time together, I always saw his drive to make himself and his teammates the best they could be through his work on and off the ice. Away from the rink, Blake and his wife Sam strove to embed themselves in the Winnipeg community and they went to great lengths to exercise their celebrity to benefit numerous charitable and humanitarian efforts throughout the city and the province.”