Jerome Miron

Winnipeg Jets Send Three-Word Message After Mark Scheifele Scores Following Father’s Death

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated May 17, 2025 11:20 PM ET

The hockey world has been rallying around Winnipeg Jets star Mark Scheifele after heartbreaking news emerged Saturday morning that his father had passed away unexpectedly on Friday night.

Scheifele’s status for Game 6 of the Jets' second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Dallas Stars was initially uncertain. But according to head coach Scott Arniel, Scheifele made it clear he wanted to play for his dad.

"Mark will be playing tonight," Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said. "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."

Fast forward to Saturday night, and the game remained scoreless through the first period—until a magical moment happened in the second.

Scheifele found a rebound in front of the net off a shot from teammate Kyle Connor and buried it past Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger.

THAT ONE'S FOR DAD!!

Mark Scheifele opens the scoring for the @NHLJets!! #StanleyCup

: ABC & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/WfuiL0BKVI
— NHL (@NHL) May 18, 2025

Immediately following the goal, the Jets posted a three-word message on social media.

"MEANT TO BE ," the team wrote.

MEANT TO BE pic.twitter.com/N1eiWja7wM
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 18, 2025

Scheifele is in his 14th NHL season after being drafted seventh overall in 2011 by the Jets. He was Winnipeg’s first-ever draft pick after the organization relocated from Atlanta that same year.

This season, he recorded 39 goals, 48 assists, and 87 points. Entering Saturday night’s game, Scheifele had four goals, six assists, and 10 points in 10 playoff games.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: