Scheifele expands hockey knowledge on RTP committee

WINNIPEG -For those who understand how much Mark Scheifele loves hockey it should come as no surprise that he ended up on the Return to Play panel for the National Hockey League Players Association.

The Winnipeg Jets forward joined the likes of John Tavares, Connor McDavid, James van Riemsdyk and Ron Hainsey to work with the NHL to hammer out a unique way to get the game back on the ice.

"It was obviously an honour to be a part of that committee. A lot of very good hockey players, a lot of very good hockey minds all on one call so it was definitely and honour to be a part of it," said Scheifele following Tuesday's practice at Bell MTS Iceplex.

"A lot of phone calls, a lot of ideas thrown around. There definitely wasn't a stone left unturned in terms of ideas thrown around so it was really cool to be a part of a committee like that."

The 27-year-old Scheifele has been no stranger to analyzing the game on the ice including the players he goes up against. But for him to take part in the actual business of hockey was new territory and to Scheifele it's all about power knowledge can bring.

"Over the last number of years I'm the (Jets) assistant (player) rep to Lows (Adam Lowry). So it's been an interesting journey that way in terms of learning the business side of things. Learning about what goes into creating the cap and all that stuff," said Scheifele.

"I've enjoyed learning about it and I think when you are in a situation like this you just have to educate yourself. You don't want to go into any meeting when you are not educated on the situation. If you are not, try to do your due diligence to try and understand it before you can have an opinion on it. I've been able to speak my opinion because I am educated."

One of the good things that came out of the COVID-19 pause was the NHL and the NHLPA hammering out a four-year extension in the collective bargaining agreement guaranteeing labour peace until at least 2025-26. One of the key components is the return to the Olympics pending negotiations with the International Olympic Committee, Scheifele would be viewed as a good bet for the 2022 Canadian team in Beijing.

"For that to be in there that's a huge positive for everyone," said Scheifele.

"I'm definitely very happy to see that in there."

Scheifele, Andrew Copp and Lowry all played a role in getting hockey back on the ice. For Lowry being the teams player rep, he appreciates the work put in by both his teammates over the past months.

"Andrew was on a lot of calls late nights and there was a lot of information that he would have kind of have to dictate. We would get on the board calls and there was more information that was passed on," said Lowry.

"Mark's job was pretty difficult as well. Hammering out what's going to be the best way to return to play. There's always going to be decisions where someone's not happy with it. You look at was 24 teams coming back the best way to do it? Why not 20? Why not bring everyone back and things like that. All in all I think they all did such a great job."