Mark Scheifele’s father unexpectedly passed away on Friday night, leaving the availability of the Winnipeg Jets’ star forward in doubt for Saturday’s Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the host Dallas Stars.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was emotional in delivering the news to reporters prior to the team’s morning skate that Brad Scheifele passed away.
Per Cheveldayoff, Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel returned to the team’s hotel to speak with Mark Scheifele. Cheveldayoff said it was too early to say if the 32-year-old forward would play in the team’s pivotal game on Saturday night.
“As an organization we’re doing everything we can to support him and give his family our most sincere condolences. And obviously (we) ask that everybody respect his and their privacy at this time,” Cheveldayoff said.
Cheveldayoff said Arniel would update the media at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Scheifele collected a goal and an assist on Thursday as Winnipeg staved off elimination by posting a 4-0 victory over Dallas. The Stars, however, hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Scheifele has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 10 games during the playoffs.
He recorded career-high totals in assists (48) and points (87) and had an NHL-best 11 game-winning goals while playing in all 82 games this season.
–Field Level Media
