The wider hockey community demonstrated remarkable solidarity on Saturday by offering support to Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele during a difficult time.
Following the announcement by the Winnipeg Jets that Scheifele`s father, Brad, had unexpectedly passed away overnight, fans on social media initiated a spontaneous wave of generosity. They began making donations of $55, matching Scheifele`s jersey number, to the Winnipeg Jets` charitable foundation.
Just over an hour after the Jets were eliminated from the playoffs, losing 2-1 to the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of their second-round series, Krista Sinaisky, a spokesperson for True North Sports + Entertainment, confirmed the significant impact of this effort. She reported that over $30,000 had been raised specifically through these $55 donations for the True North Youth Foundation.
“A wonderful outpouring of support from the hockey community on a very tough day for the Jets family, our True North Youth Foundation is extremely grateful,” Sinaisky conveyed via email.
Notably, this charitable initiative saw participation not only from Jets fans but also from many supporters of the opposing Dallas Stars.
Despite the devastating personal news, Scheifele made the decision to play in Game 6 just hours after learning of his father`s death. He went on to score Winnipeg`s only goal in the game.
Tristan Blackwood