Not enough information.

1. What is the bike?
2. What is it's rear axle spacing (130 mm? 135?)
3. Disc or rim brakes?
4. 8, 9, 10 spd cassette?

That aside, a wheel change in/of itself will have negligible effect on your average speed/commute time over 17 miles. Primary factor: your fitness (which you mention above). Next: position on the bike. Next: tire type/quality/weight. Those three swamp any effects of a wheel change.