‘His dad would have been really proud of him’: Kind words, charity pour in for Jets’ Scheifele

Mark Scheifele is not alone.

The Winnipeg Jets centre is getting support from the hockey world and beyond after suffering a devastating personal loss. His father, Brad, died early Saturday, just hours before the Jets were set to face the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series.

Scheifele ultimately decided to suit up for the must-win contest and, in storybook fashion, opened the scoring for the visitors. But in a cruel twist of fate, he took a tripping penalty with 14 seconds left in regulation, and the Stars scored on the ensuing power play early in overtime to end Winnipeg’s season.

“My sympathies and condolences to Mark Scheifele and his family,” Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Sunday morning prior to his team facing the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of their series.

“The display of courage and focus for Mark to do what he did was a greater display of the power of family — not just of the Scheifele family but the Winnipeg Jet family for him to play with his brothers, and that extends out to Scott Arniel and Kevin Cheveldayoff and Mark Chipman and all the Winnipeg Jets fans.”

Maurice spent parts of nine seasons at the helm of the Jets and is one of Scheifele’s biggest fans, once proclaiming that they’ll “build a statue of him” one day in Winnipeg.

“They built a culture of family there that allowed that inspiration to happen. So again, a thank you to them for that display, and also our condolences to them,” said Maurice.

Panthers forward Brad Marchand, one of the league’s biggest antagonizers, showed a softer side in speaking about Scheifele.

“There’s very few people that could have found the strength to play through something like that,” he told reporters. “And to go out and to play the way that he did and step up for his team, his family must be extremely proud of him. And his dad would be.”

That mutual respect was on full display by members of Stars, who embraced him in the post-game handshake line inside American Airlines Center and sung his praises in their media availabilities.

“I consider myself a Kitchener guy. His family’s from Kitchener. Just courageous, what he did tonight,” said Stars coach Pete DeBoer.

“I’m sure his dad would have been really proud of him and what he did. And I’m sure his dad would have wanted him there. Tough night for him and anybody in the hockey world that has been in a situation like that. So, hats off to him. Courageous young man.”

Dallas forward Sam Steel — who was hauled down by Scheifele on the play that led to the game-winning power play goal — said he and his teammates were “gutted” for him despite ultimately moving on to the Western Conference Final, where they will face the Edmonton Oilers beginning Wednesday night.

“I’m not sure I could do what he did tonight. It’s pretty brave of him. He played his heart out,” said Steel.

It’s not just kind words coming Scheifele’s way, but gestures too. A campaign that began on a Dallas Stars Reddit page urged fans to donate “$55 for 55” to the True North Youth Foundation and KidSport Canada, which are charities Scheifele supports.

According to the Jets, more than $46,000 had poured in by Sunday afternoon.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew posted a message on social media along with a photo of him shaking hands with the first-ever draft pick of the 2.0 Jets at a previous gala dinner.

“Mark, you’ve done so much for us over the years please know the people of Manitoba have your back,” Kinew wrote.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers bench boss Mike O’Shea, speaking on Sunday during his team’s training camp, singled out Scheifele for praise.

“As a fan, watching that unfold and just seeing that massive display of courage and leadership from that group, something we can all learn from. Hell of an entertaining season, hate to see it end that way, but just that specific game last night, courage and leadership, got to learn from it,” he told reporters.

He wasn’t surprised Scheifele insisted on playing in the game — athletes are just built that way — but expanded on how difficult it would be.

“That’s the courage piece,” he said.“We’re all going to make that decision, it’s just so bloody difficult to figure out how to get through it at the level you want to get through it at, so, once again, something you certainly can watch and admire.”

O’Shea was also moved by how Adam Lowry immediately went inside the penalty box to console Scheifele following the game-winning goal, and how the Jets captain conducted himself during an emotional post-game media availability.

“I’ve been admiring Lowry’s captaincy from afar for a while now — I think he’s been awesome, watching the way he’s led. Listen to him speak and the way he plays the game — just (Saturday) night, it’s pretty powerful,” he said.

Scheifele was on the Jets charter with his teammates Sunday afternoon as they returned to Winnipeg. He’s expected to join his family members in Ontario in the coming days.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg