Wheeler, the former University of Minnesota standout, hit the milestone in his 1,060 game and is now 214th on the all-time NHL goals scored list. The Plymouth, Minnesota, native is in his 15th NHL season.
"If you think that because of this I'm going to fade into the back and not be a leader on this team, you're sorely mistaken," said Blake Wheeler, who had worn the captain's "C" on his sweater since the 2016-17 season.
The 25-year-old from Littleton, Colo., talks about his college hockey experiences, playing pro hockey, growing up with Troy Terry, Brandon Carlo and his favorite St. Cloud State memories on the Huskies Hockey Insider podcast with Mick Hatten.
Ben Meyers' year of world traveling will continue, as he and two other former Gophers have been named to Team USA. Also: a quartet of Gophers could go in round one of the NHL Draft, fond memories of Adam Nightingale in Minnesota, and a probable landing spot for Jack Perbix.
After one productive but injury-shortened college hockey season, Minnesota Gophers freshman forward Chaz Lucius signed his first professional contract with designs on playing in the NHL next season.
