University of Minnesota hockey alum Blake Wheeler was named team captain of the Winnipeg Jets, the organization announced last week.

An eight-year NHL veteran, Wheeler has tallied 440 points (173 goals, 267 assists) in 615 regular-season NHL games between the Jets, the Atlanta Thrashers and the Boston Bruins. The forward has also tallied seven points (two goals, five assists) in 25 playoff games. Wheeler was the fifth overall selection at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, having been picked in the first round by the Arizona Coyotes. 

A native of Plymouth, Minn., Wheeler has also represented the United States at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia and at World Junior Championship in 2006 and a World Championship in 2011. 

Read more at Gophersports.com.