Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler on unrest in the United States & NHL Return to Play plan

Jets captain Blake Wheeler is currently in Florida during the pause in NHL action.  Today’s video conference covered quite a bit of ground including the unrest in the United States after the murder of George Floyd as well as the NHL’s Return to Play plan.

Quotes/Notable:

On white athletes getting involved – “We have to. We have to be as involved in this as black athletes. It just can’t be their fight.”

Says he isn’t shielding his kids from watching the events that are unfolding on tv.

Indicated this has nothing to do with politics. Adds everyone needs to support human rights.

On message he received from his dad regarding the unrest – “My generation didn’t get it right, hopefully yours does”

In terms of putting oneself out there on social media – “I wish I didn’t care what people thought of me. I do. It’s exhausting.” Added that it doesn’t matter when it comes to saying something like he did.

On the Jets being able to continue where they left off at the NHL pause – “There’s a good vibe on our team”

Potentially not playing in front of fans in Winnipeg – “We love having them in the building and we love playing for them.”