Observations:

November 2013 – During a game on November 19th defenseman Mitchell Wheaton was knocked awkwardly into the boards from behind by attacking forward Roberts Lipsbergs which resulted in an injury where Wheaton had to be stretchered off (video below). Much debate has been made about the hit whether it was legal or not but the end result is that Kelowna looses Wheaton to injury. The sophomore defenseman has battled injuries in his career so it will be interesting to see how he rebounds from this latest one. He has six assists through a dozen contests this season for the Rockets. Brendan Ross

July 2013- With the 139th selection in the NHL Entry Draft the Detroit Red Wings drafted Mitchell Wheaton of the Kelowna Rockets. With the Wings opting to go with five forwards in their first five picks they decided to get defensive in the 5th round and take the ever improving and defensive Wheaton to add to their collection of talented prospects. Fantasy owners no need to race to draft Wheaton as he is several years down the road before he would make an impact and even then he is projected as a defensive defenseman with limited offence until proven otherwise. Travis Watson

April 2013- Wheaton is one of those defensemen that is doing his job best when you don’t notice him out there. Wheaton finished with an impressive plus-20 this year and rarely makes bad decisions on the ice. His decision making ability and on ice vision has been compared to that of Chris Tanev of the Vancouver Canucks. Wheaton is a late bloomer who was a 10^th round pick by the Kelowna Rockets but his play this year has made them look like geniuses as he was an integral part of the success the franchise this season. Wheaton is a huge body and is not afraid to throw it around. Not an offensive guy by any means but Wheaton plays his defensive role very well. Bill Kellett

Fantasy Outlook: D+

Wheaton is never going to ‘Wow' anyone with his play. He is a stay at home defenseman who finished with only one goal but is valuable in so many other areas. Wheaton is a player  who will be a later round pick in the draft.

Footage:

Mitchell Wheaton stretchered off the ice after hit from behind (November 19, 2013)

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