Blake Wheeler isn’t ready to close the door on a GST line reunion just yet.
The Winnipeg Jets alumni game in late October looked like it might lose one of its most familiar faces when Chris Thorburn was removed from the roster in late June and then named the St. Louis Blues’ Director of Player Development on July 1. Thorburn had been one of the first players announced for the Heritage Classic Alumni Game back in January, and his absence seemed to put the brakes on any real chance of seeing the old GST trio back together.
But Wheeler is still holding out hope.
Speaking on Jets @ Noon with Kelly Moore and Jim Toth on 680 CJOB, the former Jets captain said the group has already been talking about the possibility behind the scenes.
“Obviously Thorbs was one of the first guys that got reached out to. I’m really hoping that we can make that happen.
Certainly, that has been chirped about in the group text and all that. Yeah, that would be really cool to get them together and obviously it wouldn’t be the same if Thorbs wasn’t there.
He had such a massive impact in his time in Winnipeg. The fans love him so much, but not even close to how much his teammates love him.
That guy is as class as they come. We’ll be nudging him along.
We may have to increase his appearance fee or something to get him to come, but we’ll try to make it happen.”
Thorburn was a fan favourite during Winnipeg’s first NHL season back in 2011-12, known for his willingness to drop the gloves and for the edge he brought to the lineup. Along with Wheeler, he helped make the GST line one of the most popular units from that inaugural Jets team, giving fans plenty to latch onto during a season that didn’t offer many wins.
For now, the reunion remains a hope rather than a certainty. But Wheeler’s comments make it clear the idea is still very much alive.
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