Arizona captain wants to see Jets land in playoffs
Coyotes’ top dog Doan looks back fondly on time spent in Winnipeg
Sure, he has a soft spot for the Winnipeg Jets.
He wouldn’t even mind seeing them qualify for the post- season.
After all, his cousin, Keaton Ellerby, is skating for the Manitobans — and, once upon a time, so did he.
“Obviously, they haven’t been in the playoffs in a while,” Shane Doan, captain of the Arizona Coyotes, says of the Jets’ current push, “and it would be cool.”
With comical understatement, he continues.
“The fans in Winnipeg are fairly passionate about hockey,” he says, smiling, “and it would be cool for them to get an opportunity to do that. I know some of the guys on their team. You root for your friends and I like those guys.” And they liked him, too. Back in 1995, the Jets drafted Doan seventh overall, sandwiched between Steve Kelly and Terry Ryan.
The following season was his first in the National Hockey League — and the Jets’ last ( till the popular reincarnation, via Atlanta, took place in 2011). The broad- shouldered winger dressed for 74 regular season dates, then all six contests in the playoffs.
“It was amazing,” Doan says of the opening- round matchup. “We played Detroit and that was the year they won 62 games. ( Winnipeg goalie) Nikolai Khabibulin was absolutely phenomenal. They were such a good team … Nikki kept us in it. It was fun, coming back for Game 6 in Winnipeg.”
Which became the scene of the grand send- off.
Upon elimination — April 28, 1996 — the Jets embraced the whiteout commotion inside Winnipeg Arena.
“One of those emotional nights that you never, ever forget,” says Doan. “Skating around saying goodbye to all the fans.”
The adoring masses wanted to remember their heroes. Any sweatsoaked keepsake would do.
“I think I was missing a glove, an elbow pad, half of a shoulder pad, by the time I ( finished) going around,” says Doan, “because they kept grabbing pieces off you. It was interesting.”
A teenager no more, Doan took part in his 1,393rd game on Tuesday, leaving him one appearance behind Stan Mikita for 35th alltime in the NHL.
But there has been nothing glorious about this past winter in Phoenix.
The Coyotes arrived in Calgary with a single regulation- time win in their past 28 dates.
“At the point we’re at now, you’re probably looking for it to be over,” says the 38- year- old, who, 898 points to his credit, has another season remaining on his contract. “It’s not something you’ve enjoyed the last little bit here. It hasn’t been fun.
“You love to play. I mean, next week if there’s someone playing pickup hockey, I probably want to go play. I love to play. I love to be out on the ice, goofing around and having fun.”
Both of his former employers are bound for the golf course.
Not that David Schlemko is gloating.
Waived by the Arizona Coyotes, waived by the Dallas Stars, the defender is happy to be performing in meaningful games.
“I can’t say I’m happy they’re not making the playoffs,” says the Flames defenceman. “Especially Arizona. I spent almost eight years in their organization. I’m thankful for the opportunity and I know how tough it is for those guys — I was part of it for a little while.
“Personally, I’m happy to be in the playoff race, in the spot I’m in. It stings a little to go on waivers. You always believe in yourself. You know you can play.”
Not surprisingly, video of Schlemko’s legendary handiwork in the March 5 shootout win in Boston made its way into the Coyotes’ dressing room. His former teammates got a kick out of it.
Shane Doan chuckles when asked about The Schlemko.
“( Peter) Forsberg only made two moves, Schlemmer made, like, seven when he came in — it was unbelievable what he did,” says the Coyotes captain. “The thing is, we all knew he could do that. His hands, his hockey IQ and the way he thinks the game … incredible. He moves the puck so well. I think he’s going to be a huge asset for Calgary. Just a good guy. He’s a guy who could become a really big part of the team.”
C- NOTES: G Joni Ortio ( ankle), before Tuesday’s morning skate, was on the ice with goalie coach Jordan Sigalet. Ortio and prospect G Mason McDonald ( knee) are in Calgary to be examined by the Flames’ doctors.