Blake Wheeler, seen competing for the United States at the 2006 world junior championships, is heading to the Boston Bruins. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)The Boston Bruins have won the services of young free agent prospect Blake Wheeler, according to the player's agent.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers were reportedly among the teams pursuing Wheeler, who opted not to sign with Phoenix, which drafted him fifth overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft.
"More than 20 NHL teams were interested in Blake, and this was a very tough decision," agent Matt Keator told the Boston Globe. "And ultimately it came down to a few things for Blake, but mostly that he was comfortable with where the Bruins were headed as an organization — how this year they brought along kids like David Krejci, Milan Lucic, and Mark Stuart."
The six-foot-four, 220-pound Wheeler, who turns 22 in August, brings much needed size to the organization's forward corps.
Wheeler scored 42 goals and 54 assists in 127 games with the University of Minnesota, where he was a teammate for one season with current Bruin Phil Kessel.
The Plymouth, Minn. native had until June 1 to reach a deal with the Coyotes. Under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, he can't officially sign with Boston until July 1. He is set to ink a two-year contract.
With more teams locking up their young players to long-term deals, unsigned prospects outside the league are drawing increased attention. Boston was among a number of teams that lost out a month ago to the Dallas Stars in the bidding for Swedish free agent Fabian Brunnstom.
