DALLAS — On the somber day he received news of his father`s passing, Mark Scheifele joined his Winnipeg Jets teammates at the arena. He is scheduled to play in Game 6 tonight, aiming to help his “other family” extend their National Hockey League season.
Scheifele, recognized as the longest-serving player on the Jets roster, was informed Saturday morning that his father, Brad, had died overnight at the age of 68 after battling an illness.
Speaking at a late-afternoon press conference following time spent with Scheifele at the team hotel, Head Coach Scott Arniel commented on the impact of the news. “It was a shock to all of us this morning when we found out,” Arniel said. He confirmed Mark’s decision to play tonight, noting, “As he said, that would be his dad`s wish — that he would want him to play.” Arniel emphasized Brad`s strong support for the team, mentioning his presence during the earlier series against St. Louis, and stated, “You know, he`s with us, and Mark really wants to play for him tonight.”
Despite securing a commanding 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday, a game where Scheifele delivered an exceptional performance, the Jets currently face a 3-2 deficit in the second-round playoff series. They must win Saturday night`s Game 6 in Dallas to force a decisive Game 7 on Monday back in Winnipeg.
