Brad Scheifele, the father of Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele, passed away peacefully at age 68 on May 17, 2025, at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario. This article presents the known facts about his life, his death, and the immediate aftermath — drawn from the official obituary, team statements, and multiple news reports.
Last checked: 2026-07-15
Full name: Brad Bruce Scheifele · Date of death: May 17, 2025 · Age at death: 68 · Spouse: Britt (wife of 40 years) · Notable child: Mark Scheifele, NHL player for Winnipeg Jets · Funeral home: Henry Walser Funeral Home, Kitchener, Ontario
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-15.
Sources reviewed: obituary notice, NHL.com official team release, Sportsnet, CBC News, ESPN, The Boston Globe, HockeyFeed, social media posts from Energy 106, Wikipedia.
We did not interview the Scheifele family, visit the funeral home, or independently verify unconfirmed claims beyond the published sources listed here.
Snapshot: Brad Scheifele
- Father of Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele (NHL.com/Jets)
- 68 years old (Sportsnet)
- May 17, 2025 (NHL.com/Jets)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Brad Bruce Scheifele |
| Date of death | May 17, 2025 |
| Age at death | 68 |
| Spouse | Britt (wife of 40 years) |
| Notable child | Mark Scheifele, NHL player for Winnipeg Jets |
| Funeral home | Henry Walser Funeral Home, Kitchener, Ontario |
| Biographical detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Brad Bruce Scheifele |
| Died | May 17, 2025, at age 68 |
| Spouse | Britt Scheifele (married 40 years) |
| Notable child | Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets centre |
What happened to Brad Scheifele?
Brad Scheifele died overnight on the night of May 16‑17, 2025, ahead of Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal between the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars. The team announced the news the next morning, saying he “passed away peacefully, with family by his side.”
The obituary, published through Henry Walser Funeral Home, stated that he died at Grand River Hospital (WRHN @ Midtown) in Kitchener at age 68. While the Jets described the loss as sudden and overnight, Sportsnet later reported that Scheifele had been ill for some time, clarifying that the death followed a period of sickness.
“Passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital) in Kitchener, ON at the age of 68.”— Brad Scheifele obituary, via HockeyFeed
Obituary details
The published obituary confirmed the full name as Brad Bruce Scheifele. He was 68 years old. The funeral home handling arrangements is Henry Walser Funeral Home in Kitchener, Ontario. Survivors include his wife Britt, son Mark, and other children and grandchildren.
Reaction from the Winnipeg Jets and Mark Scheifele
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said, “On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Mark and the Scheifele family.” Despite the tragedy, Mark Scheifele chose to play in Game 6, telling coach Scott Arniel, “He would have wanted me to play.” He scored in the game, and teammates hugged him as he left the penalty box. Jets captain Adam Lowry remembered Brad as having “contagious laughter and unparalleled energy.”
“He would have wanted me to play.”— Mark Scheifele, to Jets coach Scott Arniel (via Sportsnet)
The bottom line: Brad Scheifele died peacefully after an illness, at age 68, while his son was in the middle of an NHL playoff series — a loss that brought the hockey community together in grief and support.
How old was Brad Scheifele?
Brad Scheifele was 68 years old at the time of his death on May 17, 2025. That birth year would place his birth around 1956‑1957, consistent with the age reported by Sportsnet and the obituary.
Birth year estimation
No exact birth date has been published in widely accessible sources, but his obituary listed his age as 68. His son Mark was born in 1993, meaning Brad was about 36‑37 when Mark was born.
Comparison to his son Mark’s age
Mark Scheifele turned 32 on March 15, 2025. The father-son age gap of about 36 years is typical for a first-generation NHL parent. Brad was in his late 60s at the time of his passing.
What this means: At 68, Brad Scheifele’s death was relatively early, but the obituary and team statements indicate it followed an illness.
What is known about Brad Scheifele’s family?
Brad Scheifele was married to his wife Britt for 40 years. They had at least one child, Mark Scheifele, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets. Other children are mentioned in the obituary but not named in the available sources. The family resided in the Kitchener, Ontario area.
Wife Britt Scheifele
Britt Scheifele was described as an athlete herself, though specific details are not available in the reviewed sources. She was at Brad’s side when he passed away, according to the obituary phrase “with family by his side.”
Son Mark Scheifele
Mark Scheifele is a star centre for the Winnipeg Jets, drafted seventh overall in 2011. He was born in Kitchener to parents Brad and Mary Lou Scheifele, per Wikipedia. Brad was his father; Mary Lou is his mother, but the obituary references a wife named Britt, suggesting the family composition may differ from earlier records. The sources do not clarify whether Mary Lou is the same person as Britt.
Other children
The obituary mentions “other children and grandchildren,” but no names or numbers are publicly available. The Jets charter flight to Kitchener included several players and staff, indicating the funeral was a significant community event.
“He had contagious laughter and unparalleled energy.”— Jets captain Adam Lowry (via CBC News)
The pattern: The Scheifele family — especially Mark — received an outpouring of support from the hockey world, and the Jets organization made a point of honouring Brad’s memory both on and off the ice.
Timeline of events
- March 15, 1993: Mark Scheifele born in Kitchener, Ontario, to parents Brad and Mary Lou Scheifele (Wikipedia).
- Night of May 16‑17, 2025: Brad Scheifele dies at Grand River Hospital; Jets confirm overnight (NHL.com).
- May 17, 2025: Jets issue public condolences; Mark Scheifele plays in Game 6 and scores (Sportsnet).
- May 20, 2025 (approx.): Obituary for Brad Scheifele published (HockeyFeed).
- Week of May 19‑24, 2025: Jets charter team members to Kitchener for Brad’s funeral (HockeyFeed).
Location: Henry Walser Funeral Home, Kitchener
The funeral service for Brad Scheifele was held at Henry Walser Funeral Home, located in Kitchener, Ontario. For directions, consult the funeral home’s website. The Jets arranged transportation for players and staff to attend the service.
Address: Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON N2B 2A5, Canada.
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The Winnipeg Jets organization paid tribute to Mark Scheifele after his father’s passing, as detailed in Brad Scheifeles obituary and family impact.
Frequently asked questions
How old was Brad Scheifele when he died?
He was 68 years old, as confirmed by the obituary and multiple news reports (Sportsnet).
Did Brad Scheifele have an illness?
Yes, Sportsnet reported that Brad Scheifele had been ill for some time before his death. The obituary described his passing as peaceful, with family by his side.
Who is Brad Scheifele’s wife?
His wife is Britt Scheifele. They were married for 40 years at the time of his death (HockeyFeed).
What is Brad Scheifele’s religion?
Brad Scheifele’s religion was not mentioned in the published obituary or any of the news reports reviewed.
Where is Brad Scheifele’s funeral?
The funeral was held at Henry Walser Funeral Home in Kitchener, Ontario, with Jets players and staff attending (HockeyFeed).
Sources cited
- NHL.com – Winnipeg Jets official announcement (tier 1)
- NHL.com – follow‑up feature on Scheifele’s Game 6 effort (tier 1)
- Sportsnet – initial report with age and illness context (tier 2)
- Sportsnet – Mark Scheifele decision to play (tier 2)
- CBC News – local coverage with Adam Lowry quote (tier 2)
- ESPN – U.S. national coverage (tier 2)
- HockeyFeed – obituary quote and funeral details (tier 3)
- The Boston Globe – feature on humanity of sports (tier 2)