Mark Scheifel's game 6 Status for Winnipeg -Jets unsafe after the death of his father

Dallas – Mark Scheifele's father, Brad, died overnight, Kevin Cheveldayoff, General Manager of Winnipeg Jets, told reporters on Saturday morning. Scheifele stayed on Saturday during the morning skate of Winnipeg in the Team Hotel. His status for game 6 remains uncertain.

“As an organization, we do everything we can to support it,” said Cheveldayoff. “We wish and give his family our most sincerely condolences. And we ask to respect all of their privacy this time.”

Cheveldayoff also said that jets trainer Scott Arniel Winnipeg left skate morning to speak to Scheifele. Arniel is said to address reporters in Dallas at 4:30 p.m. Central.

“This is such a big loss,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry after the morning slide. “This is your mentor, that's the person you grew up. This is the person you want to be. I think there are only a lot of small things to make sure that Mark is supporting and moving forward today.”

Brad Scheifele had participated in Jets Playoff games to support his son. The team has not disclosed the cause or details of his death.

Lowry said about Brad Scheifele: “I spent all my career here, numerous fathers travel, only the energy he had was unsurpassed. His joy and excitement for life.”

Winnipeg Trails Dallas 3: 2 in the second round series. Mark Scheifele is Winnipegs No. 1 Center and its second playoff goal scorer with 10 points in 10 games. It is the cornerstone of her top line and No. 1 Power-Play unit. The jets played two games without him in the first round against St. Louis – a game 6 and a game with game 7. They also defeated the blues in game 5 after Scheifele had left the upper body in the first period.

If Scheifele does not play, Vladislav Namestnikov would become the No. 1 Center of the Jets and Lowry would be No. 2. Dominic Toninato was Winnipeg's fourth center when Scheifele was not available in round 1.

“It is important that we are there for him in every function he needs,” said Lowry about Mark Scheifele. “I think he has to know that everyone in this room is there to support him to be what he needs to be.”

(This report is updated with further information.)

(Photo: Carey Lauder / Imagn Images)