Post by enarwpg on Oct 6, 2011 17:25:52 GMT -6
Scheifele’s family excited about his NHL debut
By Josh Brown, Record staff 35 minutes ago
Source: www.therecord.com/sports/local/article/605132--scheifele-s-family-excited-about-his-nhl-debut
Mark Scheifele’s family is mobilizing.
Parents Mary Lou and Brad, along with older siblings Janelle and Kyle, are leaving for Winnipeg this weekend.
In-laws in Cambridge are clearing all engagements for Sunday evening. Even grandpa Lyle, stuck in a London hospital, is scurrying to find a television set.
Nobody wants to miss the game between the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens. It will be Scheifele’s debut in the National Hockey League and the culmination of a lifelong dream to play professional hockey.
“One moment I’m so excited, the next moment I’m so nervous,†said Scheifele’s mom. “It’ll be a combination of both of those things for sure (on Sunday). Probably a few tears and hopefully a lot of cheering.â€Â
Fans in Winnipeg have been clamouring for the return of their beloved Jets for 15 years. The team relocated to Phoenix in 1996 but came back this past off-season when the struggling Atlanta Thrashers moved north of the border and were renamed the Jets.
And Scheifele, drafted seventh overall in this year’s NHL draft, has been pegged as the future face of the franchise.
So far, the rookie centre hasn’t disappointed. In fact, he has surpassed expectations. Many pundits felt he’d be back playing for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League after a few exhibition tilts.
Instead, he led the team in pre-season scoring with eight points in five games. Scheifele was so impressive that the Jets inked him to a three-year entry level contract worth more than $1 million.
“It has been something else,†Scheifele’s mom said of the increased attention. “We’ve gotten lots of emails and phone calls and we appreciate them all.â€Â
But nothing will beat the thrill of watching her son step on to the ice.
“I guess I’m a little bit surprised because he’s only 18,†she said. “But I know what kind of drive and desire he has, so I’m not totally shocked. He always seemed to excel when he was playing against older kids. This is no different. He’s still doing that now.â€Â
Scheifele has been texting and calling home more than usual during the lead up to the game. His family has always been his rock during tense moments.
“He has been interviewed so much,†his mother said. “I think he seems to be taking it all in and he’s still pretty grounded. I’m hoping that will continue.â€Â
And it will be a nod toward home, of sorts, when he skates his first shift for the Jets with No. 55 on his back.
“That was the number him and his brother both wore all the years in Kitchener minor hockey,†his mom said.
jbrown@therecord.com
By Josh Brown, Record staff 35 minutes ago
Source: www.therecord.com/sports/local/article/605132--scheifele-s-family-excited-about-his-nhl-debut
Mark Scheifele’s family is mobilizing.
Parents Mary Lou and Brad, along with older siblings Janelle and Kyle, are leaving for Winnipeg this weekend.
In-laws in Cambridge are clearing all engagements for Sunday evening. Even grandpa Lyle, stuck in a London hospital, is scurrying to find a television set.
Nobody wants to miss the game between the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens. It will be Scheifele’s debut in the National Hockey League and the culmination of a lifelong dream to play professional hockey.
“One moment I’m so excited, the next moment I’m so nervous,†said Scheifele’s mom. “It’ll be a combination of both of those things for sure (on Sunday). Probably a few tears and hopefully a lot of cheering.â€Â
Fans in Winnipeg have been clamouring for the return of their beloved Jets for 15 years. The team relocated to Phoenix in 1996 but came back this past off-season when the struggling Atlanta Thrashers moved north of the border and were renamed the Jets.
And Scheifele, drafted seventh overall in this year’s NHL draft, has been pegged as the future face of the franchise.
So far, the rookie centre hasn’t disappointed. In fact, he has surpassed expectations. Many pundits felt he’d be back playing for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League after a few exhibition tilts.
Instead, he led the team in pre-season scoring with eight points in five games. Scheifele was so impressive that the Jets inked him to a three-year entry level contract worth more than $1 million.
“It has been something else,†Scheifele’s mom said of the increased attention. “We’ve gotten lots of emails and phone calls and we appreciate them all.â€Â
But nothing will beat the thrill of watching her son step on to the ice.
“I guess I’m a little bit surprised because he’s only 18,†she said. “But I know what kind of drive and desire he has, so I’m not totally shocked. He always seemed to excel when he was playing against older kids. This is no different. He’s still doing that now.â€Â
Scheifele has been texting and calling home more than usual during the lead up to the game. His family has always been his rock during tense moments.
“He has been interviewed so much,†his mother said. “I think he seems to be taking it all in and he’s still pretty grounded. I’m hoping that will continue.â€Â
And it will be a nod toward home, of sorts, when he skates his first shift for the Jets with No. 55 on his back.
“That was the number him and his brother both wore all the years in Kitchener minor hockey,†his mom said.
jbrown@therecord.com
