When Mark Scheifele stepped onto the ice for Game 6 on May 17, 2025, he carried a grief few could imagine: his father, Brad Scheifele, had died unexpectedly overnight. This article pieces together the confirmed facts of Brad Scheifele’s passing at age 68, the team’s response, and how the Scheifele family navigated loss in the spotlight of the NHL playoffs, drawing on official statements, news reports, and obituary records.
Last checked: 2026-07-15
Full Name: Brad Bruce Scheifele · Age at Death: 68 · Date of Passing: May 17, 2025 · Spouse: Mary Lou (married 40 years) · Child: Mark Scheifele (NHL player) · Residence: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
How we researched this
Last checked 2026-07-15.
Sources reviewed: official NHL team news, Associated Press wire reporting, Sportsnet, The Athletic, obituary aggregation site, social media memorial group.
No on-site visit, no interview with the family, and no primary obituary document beyond what was quoted by a secondary outlet.
Snapshot: Brad Scheifele & the Game 6 response
- Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed Brad Scheifele’s death on Saturday morning in Dallas (NHL.com/Jets)
- Mark Scheifele chose to play Game 6 after learning of his father’s death (Sportsnet)
- Scheifele scored Winnipeg’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars (The Athletic)
- Teammates embraced Scheifele after he exited the penalty box postgame (NHL.com)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brad Bruce Scheifele |
| Age at Death | 68 |
| Date of Passing | May 17, 2025 |
| Spouse | Mary Lou (married 40 years) |
| Child | Mark Scheifele (NHL player) |
| Residence | Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |
What happened to Brad Scheifele?
Brad Bruce Scheifele passed away on May 17, 2025, at WRHN @ Midtown in Kitchener, Ontario, at age 68, according to an obituary reported by a secondary outlet (HockeyFeed). The Associated Press, citing the Jets organization, described the death as “unexpected,” and no cause was disclosed (AP via Spectrum Local News). He had been married to Mary Lou for 40 years.
Brad was a regular attendee at Jets playoff games to support his son, a detail noted in several reports (The Athletic). His death occurred overnight before Game 6 of the Winnipeg Jets-Dallas Stars playoff series, creating a wrenching situation for the team (NHL.com/Jets).
The bottom line: The available information points to a sudden death at a Kitchener hospital, but the family has chosen not to disclose further medical details publicly. Speculation about the specific circumstances remains unconfirmed.
What happened to Scheifele’s family?
Mark Scheifele learned of his father’s death overnight before Game 6. After consulting with his family and head coach Scott Arniel, he decided to play (Sportsnet). Arniel told reporters that Scheifele said “his father would have wanted him to play,” which informed the player’s decision.
On the ice, Scheifele scored the Jets’ only goal in a 2-1 loss (The Athletic). The moment became unforgettable when, after coming out of the penalty box, teammates surrounded him with hugs—a scene widely shared and praised (NHL.com). The Jets organization said it was doing everything it could to support Scheifele and his family (AP via Spectrum Local News).
“The organization is doing everything it can to support Scheifele.”
Kevin Cheveldayoff, Winnipeg Jets General Manager, via Associated Press
The secondary obituary reporting indicated funeral travel plans were being arranged for Kitchener, though this has not been confirmed through a family statement (HockeyFeed).
What this means: The Scheifele family has maintained significant privacy around the details of Brad’s death and subsequent arrangements, choosing to express their grief through Mark’s on-ice dedication rather than public statements.
What does Mark Scheifele’s wife do?
Mark Scheifele is married to Britt Scheifele, a competitive equestrian. Her maiden name has not been disclosed in the available high-confidence sources. She has competed in horse sport events, and the couple maintains a relatively private life away from the NHL spotlight. There are no verified details about her specific competition history or career timeline in the materials reviewed for this article.
Britt has been a visible presence at Jets games, particularly during the 2025 playoffs, providing support to Mark during the emotionally charged series.
The pattern: The Scheifele family, both immediate and extended, tends to keep personal and career details out of the public domain beyond what is shared through official team channels or brief mentions in profile pieces.
Why does Mark Scheifele not swear?
Mark Scheifele is known around the NHL for a notable personal trait: he never swears. Teammates and media have frequently remarked on this, with other players acknowledging it as an unusual characteristic in professional hockey. The reason may be a personal choice or something instilled during his upbringing, though no single interview or statement from Scheifele himself explaining the rationale was found in the available sources.
The trait has become part of his public reputation, often cited in feature pieces as a mark of his discipline and personality away from the competitive intensity of the game.
The takeaway: While the exact origin of this habit remains unconfirmed—likely a reflection of his family values and personal standards—it is a consistently reported behavioral pattern that distinguishes him in the league.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight before May 17, 2025 | Brad Scheifele dies | NHL.com/Jets |
| May 17, 2025 (morning) | Kevin Cheveldayoff confirms death in Dallas | NHL.com/Jets |
| May 17, 2025 (evening) | Mark Scheifele plays Game 6; scores goal | Sportsnet |
| May 17, 2025 (postgame) | Teammates embrace Scheifele | NHL.com |
| May 20, 2025 | Obituary details reported by secondary outlet | HockeyFeed |
facebook.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, spectrumlocalnews.com, bostonglobe.com, usatoday.com, facebook.com, sports.yahoo.com, espn.com, reddit.com
The hockey community mourned the loss of Brad Scheifele, whose Brad Scheifeles obituary detailed his life and impact on his son’s career.
FAQ
What was Brad Scheifele’s full name?
Brad Bruce Scheifele.
How old was Brad Scheifele when he died?
He was 68 years old at the time of his passing on May 17, 2025.
Who is Brad Scheifele’s wife?
His wife is Mary Lou. They were married for 40 years at the time of his death.
How long were Brad and Mary Lou married?
They were married for 40 years, according to the obituary information reported by a secondary outlet.
Did Mark Scheifele play in the playoffs after his father’s death?
Yes. Mark Scheifele played in Game 6 of the Jets-Stars series on May 17, 2025, after learning of his father’s death, and scored the Jets’ only goal.
Where is Brad Scheifele from?
He was from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
What is the name of the funeral home handling arrangements?
The funeral home handling arrangements has not been confirmed in the high-confidence sources reviewed. The obituary reporting referenced the death occurring at WRHN @ Midtown but did not name a funeral home.
Sources
- Winnipeg Jets: Jets offer condolences to Scheifele and his family
- Associated Press via Spectrum Local News: Jets say father of Mark Scheifele died unexpectedly
- Sportsnet: Jets’ Mark Scheifele to play Game 6 after sudden death of father
- NHL.com: Jets praise Mark Scheifele’s effort after death of father
- The Athletic: Mark Scheifele’s emotional response
- HockeyFeed: More details revealed on Mark Scheifele’s father’s death
- The Athletic: Scheifele father was regular at games