WINNIPEG – Between his second annual 2-day hockey camp and his charity golf tournament on Monday, it’s a busy week for Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele.
Scheifele along with Michael Hutchinson and Josh Morrissey were among the players teaching the tricks of the trade to well over 200 youngsters. Scheifele is still just 23-years-old so it’s a little weird for Scheifele to be idolized by all these kids.
“When you hear someone say something like you’re their favourite player or whatever, it definitely gives you chills down your spine.” said Scheifele. “But it’s a pretty cool feeling and it’s something that you definitely never want to take for granted.”
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Scheifele still remembers when it was him looking up to his hockey heroes on the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers.
“Got a stick one time from one of the Rangers and that was probably the coolest moment ever.” said Scheifele. “So it’s pretty cool to be on the other side of it now.”
Scheifele was the Jets first ever draft pick in 2011 so he knows exactly the pressure second overall draft pick Patrik Laine will face next season. But it’s clear Scheifele thinks highly of Laine after he played against him at the World Hockey Championships.
“He’s a really good player.” Scheifele said. “He’s got an unbelievable shot. You know, he thinks the game well. He’s got a lot of skill to his game and he’s going to be a special player.”
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Before Scheifele can play with Laine though, he’ll first need a new contract. The soon to be restricted free agent is in for a big raise after he scored a career high 29 goals with 32 assists in 71 games in the final year of his contract. Scheifele did his best to dance around the question on how contract negotiations are going with the Jets.
“I couldn’t even tell you.” said Scheifele. “That’s not my business. My business is to work out, and play hockey.”
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