Mark Scheifele
Centre and alternate captain for the Winnipeg Jets.
Mark Scheifele (born March 15, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He holds the franchise record for both goals and points and was the team’s first-ever draft pick after the franchise relocated from Atlanta, selected seventh overall in the first round of the 2011 NHL entry draft.
Scheifele grew up in Kitchener, Ontario, playing minor hockey for the Kitchener Jr. Rangers in the Alliance Pavilion League. He originally played defence before switching to forward and wore number 55 to emulate his older brother Kyle. He attended Grand River Collegiate Institute, where he also played volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field, and only focused solely on hockey at age 16. After his minor midget season in 2008–09, the Saginaw Spirit drafted him in the seventh round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, but he failed to make their roster and spent a season with the hometown Kitchener Dutchmen Jr.B. club in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. During that time, he attracted NCAA scholarship offers and originally committed to Cornell University before opting to play in the OHL. His rights were traded to the Barrie Colts, and early in his rookie season there he won the OHL’s Central Division Academic Award for October and ranked second on the team in scoring. He was invited to the 2010 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and was ranked 19th among OHL prospects and 16th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting before being drafted seventh overall by Winnipeg.
Scheifele attended the Jets’ training camp before the 2011–12 season and wore number 55 because his preferred number 19 was taken by Jim Slater. In a pre-season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, he scored two goals and two assists, earning first star honours. He signed an entry-level contract on October 3, 2011, and made his NHL debut on October 6, scoring his first NHL goal on October 19 against James Reimer of the Toronto Maple Leafs. After seven games, he was reassigned to the OHL and rejoined the Barrie Colts. When the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs, he was called up to the Jets’ AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps, for the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs. The following season, he was named an assistant captain for the Colts and, after playing four games with the Jets, was sent back down.
Quick Facts
- Height
- 6 ft 3 in
- Weight
- 207 lb
- Born
- 15 March 1993
- Birthplace
- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Position
- Centre
- Shoots
- Right
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Winnipeg Jets
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Scheifele grew up playing minor hockey in Kitchener, Ontario, for the Kitchener Jr. Rangers rep program. He originally played as a defenceman before moving to forward. After his minor midget season in 2008–09, he was drafted by the Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit in the seventh round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection but failed to make their roster and was assigned to the Kitchener Dutchmen Jr.B. club. His rights were later traded to the Barrie Colts, and he was drafted seventh overall by the Winnipeg Jets. He made his NHL debut on October 6, 2011, and scored his first NHL goal on October 19, 2011. After playing in seven games, he was reassigned to the OHL. He played his first full NHL campaign during the 2013–14 season.
During the 2015–16 season, Scheifele surpassed the 20-goal mark for the first time and scored his first NHL hat-trick, finishing with a then-career high 61 points in 71 games and leading the team in goals. He followed that season by leading the Jets in scoring and finishing seventh in the league with 82 points in 79 games. He signed an eight-year, $49 million contract to remain with the Jets, partly because Dustin Byfuglien also remained on the team. He was named an alternate captain for the 2016–17 season alongside Byfuglien and captain Blake Wheeler. During the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Scheifele set a new NHL record for most road goals in a postseason, with 11 road goals, surpassing the previous record held by Joe Mullen and Sidney Crosby.
Reader's Guide
Mark Scheifele holds the Winnipeg Jets franchise record for both goals and points, making him the most productive offensive player in the team's history since its relocation from Atlanta. As the Jets' first-ever draft pick after the move, his selection seventh overall in 2011 marked a foundational moment for the franchise. Throughout his tenure, he has helped lead the team offensively and served as a leader in the dressing room, eventually being named an alternate captain. His breakout 2016–17 season saw him finish seventh in the league with 82 points, and he set an NHL record during the 2018 playoffs for most road goals in a single postseason (11), tying Alexander Ovechkin for the league lead in goals that postseason. Scheifele has also represented Team Canada at international tournaments, winning a gold medal at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and being named his hometown's Athlete of the Year. His long-term contract and leadership role have made him a central figure in the Jets' organization.
Did You Know?
- Scheifele wore number 55 because he wanted to be like his older brother Kyle.
- He originally played as a defenceman before being moved to forward.
- He scored his first NHL hat-trick against the Montreal Canadiens on March 5, 2016.
- He set an NHL record for most road goals in a postseason during the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.
More in Winnipeg Jets Players 1-24
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