Jets name Blake Wheeler captain, with two new alternate captains

Wheeler is the captain now.

The Winnipeg Jets announced Blake Wheeler as team captain, with Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele as the new alternate captains.

The 30-year-old former fifth-overall selection of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft will serve as the second team captain since the franchise move to Winnipeg. Taking over the reins from former Jet Andrew Ladd will be no simple task but Wheeler was already a favourite for the ‘C’ due to his outspoken nature, talent and ability to lead by example.

The 6’5 speedy winger had a career year, putting up 78 points while playing a full 82 game season. With 2.52 points per sixty minutes, Wheeler was second only to Mark Scheifele last season in 5v5 point pace, while leading the team in primary points with 2.20 per sixty minutes. The powerful forward was also second only to Mathieu Perreault in relative Corsi percentage, showing his developing two-way game since his arrival in Winnipeg.

Dustin Byfuglien returns to his position of alternate captain. The 31-year-old defender recently extended his contract with a five-year contract after coming just three points shy of his 56 point career high. With a relative Corsi percentage of +4.38 and a 5v5 point pace of 1.27 per sixty minutes, Byfuglien led the Jets defensive group in all facets on and off the ice.

The newest member to the Jets’ leadership group, though, is Mark Scheifele. Scheifele and the Jets just invested in each other big time, as the pair came to a max eight-year agreement at an AAV of $6.125 million. Scheifele also had a career year with 61 points in 71 games, eclipsing his 49 the previous season. Scheifele lead the Jets in 5v5 points per sixty minutes and has been steadily improving his shot metrics, with posting a +4.48 relative Corsi percentage, the third highest on the team.

Not stated in the announcement is whether or not Mark Stuart continues to hold an alternate captain position on the Jets.