NHL fans really want a goalie hug. Although Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets really deserved it more, especially after his team lost that crucial Game 6 in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars. Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck shared a moment with teammate Scheifele after their tough 2-1 overtime loss, giving him a massive hug. The center scored the Jets’ only goal earlier in the game during the second period at 5:28, thanks to assists from Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi. The player whose first hockey memory was skating on an outdoor pond by his family’s cottage played even after the sudden passing of his father, Brad Scheifele, at the age of 68, just a day before.

As soon as he scored the goal, he zipped away from the opponent’s goalie, and you could really see the joy on his face, even with all the pain he’d been dealing with over the bygone hours. His choice to hit the ice in those conditions really showed his resilience and dedication, and Hellebuyck’s gesture highlighted the strong connections within the team.

The emotional weight of the moment really stood out with a touching message from Connor Hellebuyck’s father, Chuck Hellebuyck, who, just like his son, mourned Brad’s untimely passing in his sleep due to an illness. He posted two photos on social media and wrote, “RIP Brad. I will really miss you buddy!”

This tribute was a heartfelt way to honor Brad Scheifele’s memory and really showed how tight-knit the players’ families are, highlighting the strong sense of community within the team’s support system. The social media post really stood out. Chuck and Brad were spotted wearing their Jets gear, and they were clearly having a great time posing for the camera.

To the Jets, Brad was more than just Mark’s father; he “was a genuinely happy person with a joy and excitement for life.” He was like family to them, with his “infectious laugh and unmatched energy.” Coach Scott Arniel said, “The thing about Mr. Scheifele is he’s part of our family. He’s part of the Jets family. He goes back to 2011 when Mark was first drafted here.”

For the 32-year-old, his father was more than a supporter of him on the rink; he was his companion on the greens, too. His father would often join him on the course to play a round or two of golf. But when his parents visited his games, they stood as his lucky charm. Remember his hat trick against the Stars in a November 2 showdown in 2017? Winnipeg Jets defeated the Dallas Stars 5-2, and Scheifele had scored once during the first period and twice during the third period in that game, which also happened to be his second in the AHL, first achieved on March 5, 2016, at home against Montreal. Taking to X a couple of hours after the game, he posted a picture with his father and mother, Mary Lou, and wrote, “I think they should visit more often 😉.”

Brad had been a familiar face on the Winnipeg Jets’ fathers’ trips ever since Mark’s rookie season back in 2011. His absence is definitely going to be felt by everyone connected to the Jets. Did you know that the bond between the two Jets stars actually goes way back?

Connor Hellebuyck’s and Mark Scheifele’s relationship within the Jets locker room

Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele are really good friends. They have a deep and lasting connection that goes beyond just being key players for the Winnipeg Jets. But on ice? It’s just perfect. So, Scheifele got picked up by the Jets back in 2011, and then Hellebuyck went through the same thing in 2012. On October 9, 2023, both players showed their commitment to the franchise by signing the same seven-year, $59.5 million contract extensions.

This move really highlights their intention to lead the Jets together moving forward. So, just so you know, Hellebuyck had a pretty impressive reaction to both of them signing contract extensions with the same team. “I think we’re going to really set a really good model for the next generation coming up. Hopefully, the fans can see that we care about being here and we love being here and we’re together on this,” Hellebuyck shared.

Their shared dedication to the Jets has really played a big role in how the team performs on the ice. Hellebuyck has had quite the career, starting 558 games. Out of those, he’s won 322, lost 185, and has 44 overtime losses under his belt. Also, he’s got a GAA of 2.56, a save percentage of .918, and 45 shutouts. Those stats are really impressive!

Just like that, if we look at Scheifele, who plays center for the Jets, he’s been in 879 games and has racked up 336 goals, 468 assists, and a total of 804 points, along with a plus-minus rating of +77. This season, Scheifele is having quite the year, hitting his second-highest goal tally ever. He scored 42 goals back in the 2022-23 season, whereas he’s at 39 goals this time around. As they keep moving forward in their careers in Winnipeg, Hellebuyck and Scheifele’s partnership really shows how strong their bond is and how committed they are to reaching success together.