Father of Winnipeg Jets Star Center Mark Scheifele died, says the team

Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said the organization did everything to support the striker Mark Scheifele overnight after the death of his father.

Cheveldayoff, who held media availability in the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Saturday, said Brad Scheifele's death was unexpected.

“We want to give [Mark’s] Family our most sincere condolences and obviously ask that everyone respected their and their privacy at that time, ”said Cheveldayoff.

The jets are to play the Dallas Stars in game 6 of their NHL playoff series in the second round on Saturday evening. It was not immediately clear whether Scheifele would play.

“It's a terrible loss,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry. “It is difficult to put into words, how disappointed we all feel for Mark and his family.”

The news was informed of the players before the team's optional skate, said Cheveldayoff.

Head coach Scott Arniel, who returned to the team hotel after consulting the players to support Scheifele, was expected to hold media availability in the late afternoon.

The jets need a victory on Saturday evening to force a crucial game in their best-of-Seven series against the stars on Monday in the Canada Life Center.

Scheifele, a top line center in the team, had 87 points in 82 games last season. The 32-year-old native of Kitchener, Ontario, has 10 points in 10 playoff games this spring.

There was no immediate word about the cause of his father's death.

“It's such a big loss. This is your mentor, that's the person you grew up,” said Lowry. “So is the person you want to be. I think there are only a lot of small things you have to do to really ensure that Mark supports and progress today.”

Lowry added that Brad Scheifele had a “contagious laugh” and energy that was “unmatched”.

“Only his joy and excitement for life, and he really handed it over to Mark,” he said. “But I think his positivity, his attitude to life – [he was] Just a really happy person and [it’s] A terrible loss obviously. “