Scheifele’s return to lineup imminent

Top centre out since COVID confirmed

By: Jeff Hamilton Posted: 10:05 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021

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LOS ANGELES – Mark Scheifele is close to making a return.

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LOS ANGELES – Mark Scheifele is close to making a return.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/10/2021 (1409 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LOS ANGELES – Mark Scheifele is close to making a return.

The Winnipeg Jets No. 1 centre began skating Thursday in Winnipeg after completing a 10-day quarantine period as part of the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. Scheifele tested positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 19, results that wouldn’t officially be determined until the test came back the following day, allowing for him to play in Minnesota against the Wild that day.

“He is skating now, yes. Not with us obviously,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said following Thursday’s morning skate. “He won’t come out for a (game), he’ll be (in Winnipeg).”

Jeff Chiu / The Associated Press
San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture, left, reaches for the puck next to Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose. — Jeff Chiu / The Associated Press San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture, left, reaches for the puck next to Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose.

While Scheifele could technically be available for the Jets when they wrap up their three-game road trip through California with a date against the San Jose Sharks Saturday night, the Jets have opted to keep him at home because of a Canadian government mandate currently in place.

Those who test positive for the COVID-19 with 14 days are not able to cross the border into Canada, meaning if Scheifele were to travel for Saturday’s game, he’d be stuck in the U.S. until early next month. Scheifele would ultimately have to miss the Jets home game against the Dallas Stars Nov. 2.

Blake Wheeler is currently with the Jets, one day removed from his 10-day quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 18. Because he’s been off the ice for more than a week, the Jets and Wheeler have decided to take a cautious approach, making sure he’s fully healthy before a return.

Wheeler was held out of Thursday’s game against the Kings and is considered doubtful for Saturday against the Sharks. Because he’s also under a two-week mandate before he can cross back into Canada, he’s expected to travel home alone on Sunday.

The Jets have played well without Scheifele and Wheeler, winning all three games heading into Thursday’s tilt against the Kings.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer