Rookie Mark Scheifele says he enjoyed his brief stint in Winnipeg and is anxious to contribute to his new team.
One day after Winnipeg sent its 2011 first-round draft pick back to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, Scheifele was on the ice practicing with his new team and reflecting on the 18-year-old's visit to the NHL.
Mark Scheifele was sent back to the minors after a stint with Winnipeg. (AP Photo)
He'll make his first appearance Wednesday when the Colts take on the Belleville Bulls.
"It was pretty good to get back on the ice with some buddies and some guys I played with last year," Scheifele told the Winnipeg Sun shortly after taking part in his first practice back with the Colts. "You get a little disappointed right when you get the news that you’re getting sent down, but once I got back, it was regular hockey, playing the game you love and it was good to get back on the ice."
Scheifele was impressive for the Jets in the preseason, scoring four goals in five games. That earned him a spot on the opening-day roster. His highlights were playing in the season opener against Montreal and scoring his first-ever NHL goal against Toronto on Oct. 19.
Scheifele led all OHL rookies with 53 assists last season for the Colts. He also had 22 goals in the 66 games he played with the team.
"That first game will be a highlight, just the crowd, the atmosphere and just going out for your first NHL game," Scheifele told the newspaper. "And probably my first goal in Toronto, because I got it playing in front of a lot of friends and family, close to home."
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