One of the Winnipeg Jets' top forwards is thankful for those rallying around him and his family after a tragedy at the end of last season. Brad Scheifele, the father of Winnipeg Jets’ star Mark Scheifele, unexpectedly died on May 16 while the Jets were in Dallas. Mark Scheifele chatted with the media on Thursday and had something to say before questions started rolling in. "Just before we get started, I really want to say thank you to the guys in this room, the brothers, obviously, my family, my friends, all the guys in the league that reached out." During the video, Scheifele also thanked the fans. "The organization and especially the fans. The support that I had and my family had at the end of that season was amazing, and it just shows how great this hockey world can be." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Winnipeg Jets (@nhljets) The Winnipeg Jets kick off the 2025-26 pre-season hosting the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. at Canada Life Centre. A couple of days later, the Edmonton Oilers come to Winnipeg on September 23 at 7 p.m., before both teams head back to Edmonton on September 26 at 8 p.m.