Tribute Blake Wheeler appreciation thread.

[CorgisPer60]

Come on. He deserves more than just an addendum to his 6 year old contract announcement thread. Blake was a beautiful ambassador for the club and the city. His on ice performance couldn't keep up with his impact in the community, but he was a monster in both respects. The Jets/Thrashers all-time leader in points and GP, he was nearly PPG over 12 seasons. While the buyout is necessary from a mutually logical perspective, it's still a hard pill to swallow. I hope he'll be remembered more fondly than has been the last two seasons.

This still lives rent free in my head as the single greatest Wheeler goal in Jets 2.0 history.

 

[MrBoJangelz71]

Not many can say they gave their left nut to a city and organization. Wheeler is one of the few.

Good luck, hope he gets his cup. Top 10 Jet of all time!

 

[jetsv2]

Great player, great in the community but a bad captain in the end. Long term the positive impact he had over 13 years will be remembered more than the last few years of him as captain.

 

[Guardian17]

I respect Wheelers effort on the ice and the contributions he made to the community.

No one is perfect, but, I'm glad both he and the Jets recognized that it was time to move one.

All the best Blake.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Sounds like he was a good captain but perhaps was a bit stuck in his hard ass ways. Best of luck Blake Sam and the kids on your next journey

 

[JetsFan815]

Great person on and off the ice. The best forward in Jets 2.0 history. Him putting his shoulder down and flying down the RW and beating d-men in footraces is one of the classic Wheeler moments.

Always gave it his all on the ice and never took a game off (unlike so many other Jets *cough* PLD *cough*). People would comment on how he looked winded on the bench after his shifts and use that to chirp him about his age but to me that was him giving it his all every shift and not just casually gliding around the ice conserving energy and halfassing shifts.

The hit job on him by the Laine fans (both Finnish ones and Jets fan ones) and the media was really unfortunate.

 

[macmaroon]

Blake Wheeler tribute in Gifs...

 

[SLAYER]

Gonna miss Wheels fosho. Thanks for the memories, Captain.

 

[scelaton]

I'm actually pleased and relieved that it ended this way--with class, on both sides. Pro sports is a tough, tough business and if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anyone can be traded or bought out.

Leadership in such public roles is capricious and depends so much on circumstantial factors. (eg, Churchill was considered a pedestrian leader before WW2). Blake's intense leadership style didn't fit the Winnipeg Jets room, but, conversely, the Jets' failures these past few years fell hard on the shoulders of their captain. It led to an unhealthy cycle, so this amicable parting feels healthy for both sides.

Ultimately, this will all be long forgotten when he receives a hero's welcome back when his playing days are done.

 

[SUX2BU]

Blake Wheeler tribute in Gifs...

Christ, did you save some for the rest of us ?

 

[Eyeseeing]

Best of luck to the Wheeler family.
Thanks for the great hockey memories.
Health and happiness to you and yours.

 

[macmaroon]

Christ, did you save some for the rest of us ?

 

[kanadalainen]

WHEELHAUS

yes, this bitch (see: macmaroon above) going to miss typing that.

Ah, what the hell


WHEEEEEEEEEEELHAUS

 

[SensibleGuy]

Finally rid of the last of the Thrashers stench!


lol...I kid. Farewell Wheels I hope you get a cup somewhere!

 

[enuffidiotsalready]

i told my wife he'll want to go somewhere for a chance at a cup.

her response,

"maybe that will protect his remaining testicle"

 

[kanadalainen]

When, with fortune and Jetted men's eyes,
We alone beweep Wheels’ outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with our bootless cries
And look upon all of us and curse his age,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with Jets friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's goals and shots dope,
With what I most enjoy was Geno’s face paste’d;
Yet in these thoughts almost despising,
Happily I think on Wheels, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet dangles remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

 

[Huffer]

Wheeler is one of the best Jets either 2.0 or 1.0. He committed to this organization and city fully, and gave it everything he had on the ice. He and his wife were also extremely active in the community as well.

In his prime he was an elite winger and like almost all Jets before him didn't get the recognition he deserved.

I hope he has tremendous success on his next team, and I hope when he comes back to Winnipeg he gets a well deserved loud and long standing ovation.

 

[SUX2BU]

Thank you for everything, Blake. I hope you find success with your next team

Seeing that @macmaroon took all the good gifs, here's a couple of scraps with Wheels doing OK.

Not noted as a fighter but did what he can to motivate the team

Against Bergeron (both TSN and NESN were surprised at this one - I posted the TSN one)



Against Stone because f*** vegas ..........

 

[macmaroon]

Seeing that @macmaroon took all the good gifs, here's a couple of scraps with Wheels doing OK.

Sorry @SUX2BU, now...

 

[SUX2BU]

Sorry @SUX2BU, now...

Well, @Jets 31 is going to use his words now ...........

 

[10Ducky10]

He was the best RWer in the NHL not called Pat Kane for years.

 

[LowLefty]

Awesome player when in his prime - old school game and old school attitude.
They don't make many like him any more - good luck Wheels!

 

[JetsNut]

He was the best RWer in the NHL not called Pat Kane for years.

Then along came a kid called Laine. When he threatened to take his place the 3 stooges ran him out of town. (Maurice, Wheeler, Scheifele). In case there was any doubt!

 

[10Ducky10]

Then along came a kid called Laine. When he threatened to take his place the 3 stooges ran him out of town. (Maurice, Wheeler, Scheifele). In case there was any doubt!

He stilll hasn't come close to prime time Wheeler and probably never will.

 

[snowkiddin]

Thanks, Blake. Hoping he gets a great tribute video and a standing ovation when he returns to play us.

The first best forward we ever had.