Wheeler leaves U, hopes for pro deal

The former Breck School star was drafted fifth overall by the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes in 2004.

By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune

Last update: May 10, 2008 - 11:02 AM

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Blake Wheeler on Friday said he would not return to the Gophers hockey team next season, giving up his senior season of eligibility to pursue a pro career.

Wheeler, a center who led the Gophers in scoring with 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points this past season, has hired a Boston agent and hopes to sign an NHL contract.

The Phoenix Coyotes, who selected Wheeler with the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft, have 30 days to sign him. After that he becomes a free agent.

"It's always a tough decision" when to turn pro, the 6-4, 215-pound Wheeler said. "I had a great experience at the U, but I am ready for a new challenge. It will be good for me to take my game to the next level."

Wheeler said former teammates such as Kyle Okposo and Phil Kessel have had success in pro hockey, which is encouraging for him.

The Coyotes have made Wheeler a preliminary contract offer, he said. He is the 10th player to leave the Gophers early since the end of the 2005-06 season. Coach Don Lucia had often said he expected Wheeler to turn pro, so his decision was not surprising.

"I just want the opportunity to play in the NHL," Wheeler said. "It would be great if that was with Phoenix. I've developed a relationship with the organization the last three, four years. But [whether it happens] is out of my hands. It's up to them."

He said the Gophers' up-and-down season had nothing to do with his decision. Minnesota finished seventh in the WCHA regular season, but was the conference's Final Five runner-up and played in the NCAA tournament.

"I'm proud of the season we had," Wheeler said. "Not the way we started, the way we ended it. We had a lot over which to hold our heads high. We fought as hard as we could, which was a true testament to the character we had in our locker room."

Fans of the Gophers always will remember Wheeler for his diving goal that gave Minnesota a 3-2 overtime victory over North Dakota in the 2007 Final Five title game.

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