The Utica Comets have signed defenseman Ryan Wheeler to an AHL two-way contract for the 2025-26 season. The Lancaster, NY, native played in 62 games with the Adirondack Thunder last season, putting up nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points. Wheeler would be named the Adirondack Thunder Unsung Hero Award for the 2024-25 season. Wheeler would play up front and on the backend for the Thunder. He made his AHL debut on April 19th and found the back of the net for the Utica Comets. Despite signing an AHL Deal, I would expect Wheeler to spend a good portion of next year with Adirondack.
The 27-year-old forward spent the first four seasons of his career in the ECHL. In 201 games with the Iowa Heartlanders, Cincinnati Cyclones, and Adirondack Thunder putting up 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points. He would put up four goals and an assists for five points in 17 games during the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Junior and Collegiate Career
Prior to going pro, Wheeler spent two seasons in the NAHL with New Jersey Junior Titans. In 115 games with the Titans, he put up 12 goals and 51 assists for 64 points. He would add a goal and seven assists for eight points in 13 playoff games. Wheeler would win the NAHL Community Service Award in 2017.
He would then take the NCAA route playing four seasons at UConn. In 108 games with the Huskies, he would put up four goals and eight assists for 12 points.
ITR 46: Offseason Chaos – Inside The Rink
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