Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele is known around the league for being one of hockey’s brightest students and biggest fans.
When he’s not playing hockey, he’s watching it in an effort to perfect his craft. While Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid are, predictably, some of his favourite subjects to study, class is always in session when it comes to one of his own teammates, Blake Wheeler.
“He’s probably one of the best passers in the game right now,” Scheifele said during an appearance on Hockey Central at Noon on Tuesday. “He sees things that I don’t even see, and now it’s getting the instinct where I know if I pop out in a certain area, it’s on my stick.”
Wheeler’s unique vision and playmaking have him atop the Jets in assists (30) and total points (38) as Winnipeg’s red-hot season continues.
“Even if there’s only room for a puck to get through, it’s getting through and I’m like, I don’t know how he sees it,” said Scheifele, who ranks second in assists (21) and points (35) behind his captain this season. “I try to watch tape, I try to practise things in practice, to be the same passer to him, and I don’t know how he sees it. He’s a special player, and I really enjoy playing with him.
“He is a special player and not just in the passing aspect,” he continued. “He does everything so well, he gets in on the forecheck, he blocks shots, he can kill penalties, he’s awesome on the power play. He does everything for our team, and I think that’s who you want in a leader and he does a great job with that.”
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