
2. Canada
Mark Scheifele
One Winnipeg Jet who could potentially suit up for Canada at next year’s winter games is Mark Scheifele.
Scheifele, who is from Kitchener, Ontario, has been one of the Jets’ top performers the past couple of seasons and could be considered one of the top-centerman in the NHL.
The twenty-eight-year-old led the Jets in points during the past season and was tied for the team-lead in points during the 2019-2020 season with Kyle Connor. During the 2021 season, Sceheifele scored 21 goals and added another 42 assists for a total of 63 points.
Scheifele has represented Canada three times at the senior level including representing them at the 2015, 2016, and 2017 editions of the IIHF World Championships. During those tournaments, he has a combined 21 points in 27 games. Scheiefle was also a member of Team Canada twice at the under-twenty World Championship and also competed as a member of Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
If there is NHL participation at the winter games, Canada is to have a stacked roster with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon. With that being stated, some hockey analysts have projected that Sceifele could be a bottom-six forward on the team or even be the thirteenth forward on the team.
A great start to the 2021-2022 season will only help Scheifele’s case to make the roster for the Canadian Olympic team.