Doan’s stability rarity in Arizona
Captain retires after 21 seasons
While the Arizona Coyotes franchise epitomized volatility for years, Shane Doan was the one pillar of stability for more than two decades.
Doan announced his retirement Wednesday, less than three months after the NHL club decided not to offer the 40-year-old a contract for the 2017-18 season.
The Alberta native, who played his entire 21-season career with the same franchise (Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets), is the franchise leader in games played, goals, assists, points, power-play goals and game-winners. He was drafted seventh overall by the Jets in 1995, playing one season in Manitoba before the franchise shuffled off to the desert.
Instability has plagued the franchise with ownership and relocation troubles lingering in the background. But the Coyotes could always count on Doan, who was among the longest serving captains in NHL history after taking over from Teppo Numminen in 2003.
A two-time all-star, Doan scored at least 20 goals in 13 seasons and reached 50 points 11 times with a career-high 78 in the 2007-08 season. He won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership on and off the ice in 2010 and the Mark Messier Leadership award in 2012.
He recalled the excitement of his first NHL game — he had two assists — and said he “probably” knew April 8 would be his last NHL game.
“I felt an indescribable wave of emotion to have the support that I’ve had over the years from the fans throughout all of the uncertainty,” Doan wrote in the Arizona Republic. “You have always defended me and supported me. Playing in front of you has honestly been one of the greatest experiences of my life.”
Doan’s services are being considered for the 2018 Canadian Olympic team. Team Canada general manager Sean Burke said he has reached out to Doan’s representative.