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Blake Wheeler can remember the precise moment his life changed.

Coming off one of the most memorable years in his young life – which included winning Minnesota state championships in both football and hockey with the Breck Mustangs – Wheeler was sitting inside the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Wheeler was an interesting prospect, but the reason he focused squarely on the podium wasn’t because of the anticipation building.

“Wayne Gretzky is making the pick, so you pay attention,” Wheeler recalled earlier this week.

Gretzky was the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes at the time and the organization held the fifth overall selection of the 2004 NHL Draft.

Like many others in the building or watching at home, Wheeler was surprised to hear his name called.

The big right-winger was an intriguing prospect, but he had just finished his Grade 11 season of Minnesota high school hockey.

“In hindsight, it should have been more obvious,” said Wheeler. “(The Coyotes) came to my house and met my parents, but that’s what I thought everyone did. I didn’t know what was going on. The whole draft process was new to me. I didn’t know what to expect. It was a great surprise.”