Former Coyotes captain Doan to help with new arena project
The Coyotes are expanding Chief Hockey Development Officer Shane Doan’s duties, turning to the longtime former Coyotes captain to become more directly focused and involved with the team’s Tempe arena project, which is still to be approved by that city’s leaders.
Doan’s expertise in that matter comes from a long NHL career having been in many hockey arenas inside and out, and from his work with the NHL prior to joining the Coyotes in an executive role.
The Coyotes also intend to build a community ice rink and practice facility as part of the arena project just west of Tempe Town Lake.
“We thought this was really important to have Shane be more directly involved, to bring all that knowledge, 20plus years in the NHL and visiting facilities and seeing what works and seeing what is at the top end of quality and of standards,” Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez said, “and also with his work on the youth hockey side, to ensure that our practice facility which will be open to the public when not used for practice ... is built in a way that it creates an incredible experience for the entire community, for the youth hockey community.”
Doan, who on Wednesday along with Gutierrez and Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong attended the team’s public practice in Chandler, said he’s excited to help out as he would be in any capacity with the organization. He said he visited somewhere around 55 NHL arenas in his playing career, in part because some teams built new facilities over the time he was in the league.
“Without a doubt, it’s the idea of doing things the right way and making sure that you’re on the right side of all the advancements that are going on in the buildings,” Doan said. “Making sure that we take advantage of the situation that we have here with Arizona and everything that’s special about here.”
Doan seeks to be part of an arena development that incorporates the best of other buildings he’s seen, but also has its own unique features that identify with the state and its people, all while being state-of-the-art and first class.
“Over the top, and takes care of the players and the fan experience, to be able to watch a game in the best building in the country would be nice,” he said.
New ice sheets that are part of the arena and practice facility project would add to the total in the Phoenix metro area and help with the growth of youth hockey, Doan pointed out.
“The opportunity to get involved in something like this at the ground level is huge, and have the ability to influence and try to create an environment that is first class for the players and fans, I mean, that’s every player’s dream,” Doan said. “Having a building that’s our own in the center of the valley is huge. I’ve been through all the other different situations, and I am so looking forward to this starting and getting going.”
Adding Doan’s perspective and input on the arena project coincides with Thursday’s Tempe City Council executive session, in which the Coyotes’ arena and entertainment district proposal will be discussed.
Gutierrez said the organization is “very excited” about the proposal made for the Tempe arena, despite the delays in bringing it to a vote and opposition from the city governments of Glendale and Phoenix.
“We think it’s transformative, we think it’s iconic in terms of a project, but also we think it’s a proposed deal structure that is one of kind,” Gutierrez said.
“Our goal was to ensure that there was no financial risk for the city and its taxpayers, and that’s what we’ve proposed.
“We’re hopeful that there’s a positive outcome to move this process along. We know that there’s still a long way to go,” he added.
“We take our cues from the city and how they would like to proceed, but we’re excited for the opportunity to take it to the next step.”
Sateri set for Coyotes debut
More than two weeks after being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs and leaving his native Finland to come to the U.S., Harri Säteri is set to make his Coyotes debut as the starting goaltender against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday at Gila River Arena.
Coach André Tourigny named his Thursday goalie at Wednesday’s practice.