Mark Scheifele’s world came crashing down when he got the news on Friday night that his father, Brad Scheifele, had passed away at the age of 68. As NHL fans from all over came together to support him and his team, including his teammates and everyone connected with the Jets, Mark made a significant decision. What was it? He not only played in the important Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs semifinals against the Dallas Stars, but he also scored the very first goal of the game, which was a heartfelt tribute to his late father.

On X, B/R Open Ice reported: “MARK SCHEIFELE SCORES. WHAT A MOMENT.” He showed incredible calm and strength when he scored the first goal of the game, putting the Jets ahead 1-0 at 5:28 in the second period. The way Scheifele snagged that goal was really something else! He was hanging out near the Stars goalie, and as soon as Gabriel Vilardi passed the puck to Kyle Connor, the no. 81 got stopped by Jake Oettinger. But this created the space that Scheifele required. As soon as the puck hit his stick, he faked out the Stars goalie and slid it right into the net.

However, Mark Scheifele’s choice to hit the ice in those circumstances really impressed both his teammates and the fans. Jets head coach Scott Arniel mentioned that Scheifele believed his father would have wanted him to play, saying, “Mark will be playing tonight. As he said, that’d be [the] wishes of his dad. He would want him to play, and I know he’s been rooting us on here. I know that he’s been pushing hard. We got to see him earlier in the St. Louis series, and he’s with us. Mark really wants to play for him tonight.”

The team really came together for Scheifele, with captain Adam Lowry sharing how everyone feels, saying, “It’s a terrible loss. It’s tough to put into words how gutted we all feel for Mark and his family.” Aside from the emotional impact, Scheifele’s goal really showed off his skill and determination. During the playoffs, he really stepped up, and his performance in Game 6 showed just how much of a leader he is and how dedicated he is to the team. His statistics, you ask?

During the 2024-25 regular season, Scheifele suited up for all 82 games with the Jets. In those 82 games, he managed to rack up 39 goals, 48 assists, and a total of 87 points. That’s the second-highest-scoring regular season of his career, with the first being in the 2022-23 season when he netted 42 goals. So, in the Playoffs for this season, he really stood out. In 11 games, he racked up 5 goals, 6 assists, and a total of 11 points.

Scheifele’s actions really made a difference in the game and struck a chord with the hockey community. Dallas Stars fans came together to make donations to charities that Scheifele supports, like KidSport Canada and the True North Youth Foundation, as a heartfelt tribute to his father. This particular gesture from the public was reported by Lia Assimakopoulos, stating, I’m always blown away by the charitable efforts of Stars fans, and today is no different. Dallas fans have been making $55 donations for Jets No. 55 Mark Scheifele following his father’s passing last night to a few charities Mark supports. Bigger than hockey.” So, how close was Brad to not just his own son but also the NHL franchise?

Mark Scheifele’s father was special to the Winnipeg Jets

Mark Scheifele had a really close and supportive bond with his father, Brad Scheifele, who was always there for him during his hockey journey. Brad had been a regular presence at the Winnipeg Jets’ fathers’ trips since Mark’s rookie season in 2012, frequently spotted cheering from the stands and interacting with the team. He didn’t just show up; he really became a part of the Jets’ community, building connections with both the players and the staff.

Coach Scott Arniel mentioned, “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.” To put it simply, Brad’s unexpected passing right before Game 6 against the Dallas Stars hit Mark and the whole Jets organization really hard.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff mentioned, “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.” You know, aside from all the amazing support from fans and the team, Mark really showed his resilience and dedication in Game 6. Scoring that opening goal was a special moment for him, honoring his father’s memory in a way that really touched everyone in the hockey community.