Wheeler at peace with losing Jets' captaincy: 'Had some growing up to do'

Blake Wheeler had a rocky ending to an otherwise illustrious 13-year career with the Winnipeg Jets organization but is adamant he's moved on from the drama.

Wheeler's status with the club began to fracture when he was stripped of the captaincy prior to the 2022-23 campaign. The decision stung, but Wheeler thinks it was best for him and the organization.

"Even as a 36-year-old, I had some growing up to do," he told Sportsnet's Christine Simpson. "You can grow and you can be better. I can lead better and in different ways and more effectively. I don't know if I would have identified that had that not happened. There was a lot of growing up that came from that moment."

Wheeler played out the season, then had the final year of his contract bought out before free agency opened in July. He holds no ill will toward the Jets for how all that unfolded but admitted losing the letter he wore for six campaigns was difficult.

"Well it makes it easier to move on, right? I would definitely agree with that," he said.

"Last year was super challenging in the sense that there's a certain amount of embarrassment that comes with having the "C" taken away. To have to go through that and deal with that was definitely challenging at times. I think a lot of the narrative around our group going into last year was that there was dressing room issues and there was problems. Then you take the captaincy away, well, there's your problem right there, right?"

The Atlanta Thrashers acquired Wheeler from the Boston Bruins in 2010-11, then relocated to Winnipeg the following season. He went on to set franchise records in games played (897), assists (550), and points (812).

Wheeler signed a one-year, $1.1-million contract with the New York Rangers after hitting the open market this past summer. He played his first game back in Winnipeg on Monday night and received a rousing ovation from his old fans. New York won the contest 3-2 in overtime.