We saw the outpouring of support for Jets centre Mark Scheifele from Stars fans in Dallas with their 55 for 55 campaign after it became known that he had lost his father Brad the night before Game 6.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
It was clear he had the support of his teammates and even the opposing Stars players in the handshake line following the series loss by Winnipeg.
After the game Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer started his media availability with a comment about 55:
“Before I take questions, I just want to acknowledge a couple of things. One is our condolences to Mark Scheifele and his family. I consider myself a Kitchener guy and his family is from Kitchener. It’s just courageous what he did tonight. I’m sure his dad would have been really proud of him and what he did and I’m sure his dad would have wanted him there. It was a tough night for him and anybody in the hockey world who’s been in a situation like that. So, hats off to him, he’s a courageous young man.”
The next day before Game 7 between the Leafs and Panthers, former Winnipeg bench boss Paul Maurice, who spent nine seasons coaching in Manitoba, had this to say to start his media availability:
“I want to start on behalf of myself and my family and the entire Florida Panthers organization, our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mark Scheifele, his family and the Winnipeg Jet family. Scheifele family is very close. I think, just as an observation from last night, the display of courage and focus for Mark to do what he did, and possibly an even greater display of the power of the family, of the Scheifele family but the Winnipeg Jet family, for him to have played with his brothers and that extends out to Scott Arniel, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Mark Chipman and all the Winnipeg Jet fans built a culture of family there that allowed that inspiration to happen. So again, our thank you to them for that display and also our condolences to them.”
Leafs coach Craig Berube was asked if he’s crossed paths with Scheifele. He had this to say:
“My heart goes out to him and his family. Just the courage he showed to play that game and played well. It’s a terrible situation and you feel for him but I understand why he played. I really do. That’s a tough day for everybody there. Tough day.”
