Mark Scheifele is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the Winnipeg Jets. Despite the shocking news of his father’s unexpected demise, Mark played in Saturday’s Game 6.
He is the youngest of three siblings, and his parents, Brad and Mary Lou, raised him in a Christian household.
Mark played minor hockey in his hometown for the Kitchener Jr. Rangers rep program in the Alliance Pavilion League.
At 16, he focused on hockey, and the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)’s Saginaw Spirit selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection.
However, he didn’t make it to their roster and was assigned to his hometown Kitchener Dutchmen Jr. B. club in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (OHA).
The Winnipeg Jets selected him in the 2011 NHL entry draft, and he attended their training camp before the 2011–12 season.
Mark was named an alternate captain for the 2016–17 season, and Jets head coach Paul Maurice praised his leadership ability.
Mark Scheifele is going to be the captain of this hockey team at some point in his career for sure. He is, in so many ways, the driver of that offense. It’s really refreshing in sport to see somebody that young, that mature, that grounded, who can have fun and drive himself every single day. You don’t have to ask him to get off the couch and take the garbage out; it’s out, it’s done, he’s washed your car and he’s ready to go to work. And he’s done it at a young age. He’s just great to be around.
Paul Maurice
Mark Scheifele’s Siblings’ Rivalry Fueled His Fire To Become An NHL Star
Born on March 15, 1993, Mak Scheifel grew up with his two siblings, Janelle and Kyle, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. His unrelenting competitive drive always fueled him from backyard battles to professional hockey.
Janelle and Kyle pushed him, challenged him, and refused to let him take the easy road even when he was the youngest and smallest.
Mark was an easy target for his brother and sister, and every game, including basketball, baseball, or street hockey, felt like a championship showdown.
His siblings never took it easy on him, and his short temper made him more determined to keep up.
He was always the little guy trying to prove himself, and if he got knocked down, he had to get back up. There was no other option.
That mentality defined his childhood. While most kids eventually lose interest in backyard games, he treated every competition with the intensity of a playoff game.
Although his siblings may have moved on, he kept playing harder, smarter, and with a relentless desire to improve.
As the oldest sibling, Janelle Scheifele often took on the mentor role. Although she patiently taught Mark to shoot a layup in basketball or throw a baseball, she was never soft on him.
Janelle, who works for a non-profit organization in Toronto, instills discipline and perseverance in her younger brother.
We always thought Mark was going to be a fighter because he was such a spitfire and so competitive. He took everything very personally. I also remember thinking if anyone was going to make it somewhere in sports, it was going to be Mark.
Janelle Scheifele
Furthermore, if Janelle was the teacher, Kyle Scheifele was the agitator.
Two years older than Mark, Kyle knew precisely how to push his younger brother’s buttons, and he did so relentlessly.
Their battles were fierce, with Kyle refusing to let Mark win anything easily.
Mark’s admiration for his brother was apparent even in his early hockey days, and he wore No. 55 in minor hockey as a tribute to Kyle.
That number would later become a part of his identity, a reminder of the competitive fire his brother helped ignite.
Nonetheless, the battles of the early siblings shaped Mark’s journey from a little brother to an NHL All-Star. They forced him to toughen up, and their competitive spirits taught him that losing wasn’t an option.
Mark Scheifele’s Parents Supported His Athletic Career
Mark Scheifele has often credited his parents, Brad and Mary Lou Scheifele, for fostering his love of sports and providing unwavering support throughout his journey to the NHL.
His parents created an environment where passion defined his athletic pursuits.
Brad and Mary Lou emphasized enjoyment over achievement when Mark began playing sports at age four.
Mark remained competitive in multiple sports, including soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, track and field, and hockey, while his siblings eventually narrowed their focus.
Mary Lou, a nurse, made the difficult decision to leave her job to ease the chaos of managing the schedules of three active children.
Her sacrifice ensured that the children could pursue their passions without logistical stress.
Meanwhile, Brad, who had played gridiron football in high school, brought a balanced perspective to sports.
He never criticized a bad game, instead fostering a positive atmosphere. Even after tough losses, car rides home were filled with singing and laughter.
Unfortunately, Brad’s untimely passing left the Scheifele family mourning. He was a familiar presence in the Winnipeg Jets organization, often joining team trips and supporting his son’s career.
As an organization, we’re doing everything we can to support him and we give his family members sincere condolences and obviously ask that everybody respect his and their privacy at this time.
Kevin Cheveldayoff
We spoke to the team this morning. Arnie’s gone back to the hotel to speak with Mark right now and Arnie will be back at 4:30 to address all of you. We’ll have an update at that point in time.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mark Scheifele won his first IIHF World Championship gold medal in 2016 and was named his hometown’s Athlete of the Year.
- He signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension with the Jets before the 2023-24 season started.
- He stands 191cm tall and weighs about 207lb.
