Beyond the ‘C’: The Story of Shane Doan and the Phoenix Coyotes
AGE |
35
HEIGHT
6’ 2”
WEIGHT
228 lbs.
POSITION
Right Wing
DRAFTED
7th Overall in 1995
to Winnipeg Jets
Shane Doan is in a bit of a pickle. He isn’t sure if he is going to stay in Phoenix or if he is going to leave and play the rest of his career somewhere else. He has been as loyal to his club as anyone in the history of the NHL. He is a fierce forward and a great leader. There is no doubt that whatever happens with the trade rumors, he will have his jersey retired at Jobing.com Arena when he decides to retire. This is Beyond the ‘C’: The Story of Shane Doan and the Phoenix Coyotes.
This story is going to be different. If you read the piece on the Philadelphia Flyers I wrote, it will be like that, and a mix of the other stories. First I’m going to tell you about Shane Doan; His childhood, junior years, and him playing from the icebergs of Winnipeg to the heat waves of Phoenix. And then I will do a what-if analysis. If he goes to another team what happens? This will be a bumpy ride, so buckle up.
Doan started playing for the Kamloops Blazers in 1992. He spent 3 seasons with them. He helped them win 2 memorial cups, one in 1994 and another in 1995. His 1994-1995 season was marvelous. He scored a whole 94 points and won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy for being the tournament MVP. He was then drafted to the Winnipeg Jets, where he only played one season before the move to Phoenix. In his final Winnipeg game, he scored the game winning goal to clinch the 8th seed playoff spot. If you start the video 7:30 in, you will see the goal, and it was a nice one. This was the last chance for the Winnipeg Jets to win a Stanley Cup. They were paired up against the mighty Detroit Red Wings and lost in 6 games.
Trivia Time:
Who was Shane Doan’s idol growing up?
a) Wayne Gretzky
b) Paul Coffey
c) Bobby Hull
d) Teemu Selanne
After the departure of captain Teppo Numminen, Doan took over the Coyotes captaincy during the 2003-2004 season. After that, he scored then career high 27 goals, 41 assists, and 68 points. He became a real good and respected player and played in the 2004 and 2009 NHL All-Star Games. In 2009, he beat Boston Bruins’ Marc Savard in the Elimination Shootout portion of the Skills competition. It took seven rounds to do so. This year was the best year yet. He led the team to a 3rd seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They advanced past the first round, beating the Chicago Blackhawks. Not only was the second round going to be tough, but the Coyotes had never defeated anyone in the second round. They had to take on the Nashville Predators with the hot goalie Pekka Rinne trying to stop them. In the end, Phoenix won in 5 games, making it the first time they went to the Conference finals. But in the third round, they were stopped in 5 games by the soon to be Stanley Cup Champions the Los Angeles Kings.
Trivia Time Answer: B. Paul Coffey. Here is the NHL Network’s “My Hockey Idol” segment on Shane Doan.
Editors Corner:
Jack Briggs, known as bigdaddyJack on Howlin’ Hockey, wrote an entire article on Shane Doan. Here is the link for the article.
What-If Time:
Let’s say that Shane Doan decides to play somewhere else (Please be Detroit! Please be Detroit!). Who else can be a captain in Phoenix. I have 3 possible choices.
1) Keith Yandle
2) Radim Vrbata
Keith Yandle- He may be young, but he knows how the game should be played, and he has probably learned a few things from Doan.
Radim Vrbata-At the age of 31, he has been around long enough to know how to lead a team, hopefully to a Stanley Cup. Plus I like saying his name.
Martin Hanzal-Standing at 6’ 6”, not only does he put fear into his opponents, but he can lead with a strong ruling, kicking the Phoenix into playoff masters.
Closing Argument: There are only two teams out of this 30 team league I would want to see Shane Doan on. These teams are the Phoenix Coyotes and the Detroit Red Wings. I want him to finally win a Stanley Cup with the team who he has been with even through relocation. I want him on the Red Wings because I think they need a captain who has great experience, now that Lidstrom is gone.
Now that you hung on through that, it’s time to relax. I was just warming you up for more Winnipeg Jets. On Friday, we go and talk about Andrew Ladd, the captain of the new Winnipeg Jets, former Atlanta Thrashers. Stay tuned ladies and gentleman. Come chat it up on Twitter with me @NardoneDylan.