The Winnipeg Jets announced that centre Mark Scheifele is on the COVID-19 list. News of this was announced late Thursday morning.
#NHLJets F – Mark Scheifele is in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol.
— Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) October 21, 2021
Mark Scheifele Placed on COVID List
The Jets forward was placed on the COVID list just hours before the team’s home opener against the Anaheim Ducks. Scheifele has two assists in two games so far this season for Winnipeg. He has a Corsi for of 52.7 and a relative Corsi of 9.6. He missed the team’s opening game after serving the final game of his suspension from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Over his 11-year NHL career, Scheifele has only played for the Winnipeg Jets. He has 201 goals and 308 assists for 509 points in 577 career games. Winnipeg drafted him in the first round, seventh overall of the 2011 NHL Draft. He was the team’s first pick after moving from Atlanta.
The Kitchener, Ontario native has represented Canada at various levels. He won a bronze with the 2012 team at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Scheifele also won gold at the senior level at the 2016 IIHF Worlds and a silver in the 2017 tournament.
What It Means
Team captain Blake Wheeler is currently isolating in Minnesota after testing positive for the coronavirus. Wheeler is from Minnesota and decided to stay home instead of flying back to Manitoba. Winnipeg is without two of its three players on its top line with Kyle Connor. Wheeler did say that all of the Jets are fully vaccinated against COVID.
The team tested negative after Wheeler’s test, but the media room was then closed on Tuesday. All media availability are being handled via Zoom at this time.
Not having Wheeler or Scheifele will hurt the Jets in their attempt to get their first victory of the season. Winnipeg scored five goals in its last game, but lost in an exciting 6-5 overtime game to the Minnesota Wild. The Jets currently sit 29th in the 32-league with two points via overtime losses.
