The Winnipeg Jets forward was one of the top Canadian forwards to be snubbed for the country’s Olympic team when it was announced Wednesday. He acknowledged it wasn’t easy.
“Yeah, it sucked. Pretty dark day,” Scheifele told reporters after the visiting Jets lost 6-5 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
“It’s hard to think about now after kind of turning the page to this morning. Obviously, it was a tough day. News you don’t want. But it just shows the amount of talent in Canada, so many great hockey players, so many great guys.”
Scheifele has the most points this season of any Canadian not to crack the team.
The former Barrie Colts star added to his total on Thursday with two goals and an assist while playing about 90 minutes away from his hometown of Kitchener, Ont. He was robbed of a hat trick and a tying goal by Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby in the dying seconds.
Scheifele has 20 goals and 28 assists in 39 games this season, but his team sits last overall in the league after suffering its eighth consecutive loss.
“I don’t know what else I could have done (to make Team Canada),” Scheifele said. “I’m proud of the way I’ve played all season until now. I think I’ve probably played the best hockey I’ve ever played in my career.”
Scheifele also wasn’t selected for Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off team last February.
The two-time NHL all-star has represented Canada at three world championships and two world junior championships, and played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
