Winnipeg Jets Scheifele to play Game 6, despite being hit with personal loss

DALLAS – Mark Scheifele is dealing with an incredibly difficult personal loss.

The Winnipeg Jets’ centre found out on Saturday morning that his father, Brad, had passed away during the course of the night at the age of 68.

Scheifele was back at the team hotel dealing with the sudden and devastating news as his teammates hit the ice to prepare for Game 6 with the Dallas Stars.

“As an organization, we’re doing everything we can to support him and we give his family members sincere condolences and obviously ask that everybody respect his and their privacy at this time,” said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who was emotional as he delivered the news to reporters on the scene. “Certainly unexpected this morning. I don’t have many of the other details. Certainly appreciate everyone’s understanding. Today is a different day, but we’re a family and we’re going to do everything we can to support Mark.”

Jets head coach Scott Arniel addressed the team at the rink before returning to the hotel to be there for Scheifele.

When Arniel returned to the rink to speak with reporters later in the afternoon, he confirmed that Scheifele would be suiting up in Game 6.

“Mark will be playing. As he said, (those) would be the wishes of his dad. He would want him to play,” said Arniel, who lost his father Doug three years ago. “(Brad) has been pushing hard here. We got to see him (in Winnipeg) earlier in the St. Louis series. He’s with us and Mark really wants to play for him.”
Scheifele let Arniel know this morning that he would be ready to go.

“Mark expressed quickly that he wanted to play for his dad and that this was what his dad would have wanted,” said Arniel. “When (the Jets players) heard that, for them, they were glad to hear that and glad they can help get through this situation.”

Scheifele walked into the arena with close friend Josh Morrissey, who lost his father Tom to cancer in 2021.

“As good as to be expected,” said Arniel, asked how Scheifele was holding up. “It’s great that he got to talk with his family, got back to the meal room and talked to the players and give them a hug. It’s part of what we’ve been preaching here. We’re one big family.

“He needs us now and we’re there for him.”

Arniel lost his own father, Doug, three years ago.

“It hits home,” said Arniel. “I’ve actually been through this experience once before in hockey. It’s not a good feeling. With this group, the thing about them is that winning a hockey game or losing a hockey game or something as serious as this, that we’ve got a game to play and we’re going to play hard for Mark. That’s pretty much the chatter that’s happening. Everyone wants to make sure that we don’t let him down.”

Jets captain Adam Lowry is close to Scheifele and was asked to share some thoughts on what he will remember about Brad.

“Such an infectious laugh. I mean, spending my whole career here, (being on) numerous fathers’ trips, just the energy that he had was unmatched,” said Lowry. “Just his joy and excitement for life and he really passed it down to Mark. But I think his positivity, his outlook on life, just a genuinely happy person and a terrible loss, obviously.

“Our condolences go out to Mary Lou (Scheifele’s mother), Janelle (Scheifele’s sister), Kyle, (Scheifele’s brother) and the whole Scheifele family.

“It’s a terrible loss. It’s tough to put into words how gutted we all feel for Mark and his family.”

The Jets will attempt to extend their season with a win on Saturday night and are looking to build on Thursday’s 4-0 victory over the Stars.

But the focus right now is to let their teammate know the group is there for him.

“Having such a tight-knit room, close bond with everyone, the support, if he wants to open up about it, be there to listen but be there to take his mind off things,” said Lowry.

“It’s not an easy thing to navigate, especially with the magnitude of the day in terms of our playoff lives. It’s important that we’re there for him in just whatever capacity he needs. He needs to know everyone in that room is there to support him, to be whatever he needs us to be.

“It’s one of those things that you don’t wish upon anyone. Just really hope that he’s got the family strength, the great support system around him that helps ease this pain because that’s such a big loss. That’s your mentor, that’s the person you looked up to growing up. It’s the person you want to be like. So, yeah, I think there’s just a lot of little things you have to do to make sure Mark feels supported today and moving forward.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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