Right winger Shane Doan helped lift the Arizona Coyotes past the Calgary Flames last Friday with two goals and an assist but the team captain managed to help himself to a pair of franchise records at the same time.
The 39-year old surpassed Hall-of-Famer, Dale Hawerchuk, with 931 total points but that wasn’t the only record broken that night. Late in the third period Doan managed his 123rd power play goal handing him another franchise record and once again pushing Dale Hawerchuk to the number two spot. Doan holds the record for games played in the Coyotes organization as well.
Doan was born on October 10, 1976 in Alberta, to father, Bernie Doan, who played professional hockey for a brief period of time in the St. Louis Blues organization. His father’s short career was obviously long enough to have an impact on Shane who was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1995. The Jets went on to become the Coyotes and Doan stayed within the organization. In fact, Doan has spent his entire professional career with the Jets/Coyotes and is currently the only remaining player from the Jets who is still active in the NHL.
Doan’s record-breaking performance comes at a crucial time for the Coyotes who desperately needed to break themselves out of a losing spell. Doan certainly did his part helping the Coyotes to a 4-1 win, snapping a five game losing streak, and leaving the Coyotes just three games behind Nashville for the final wild card spot. Doan’s performance could not have come at a better time.
Doan’s career has been exemplary producing 13 20-goal seasons, two All-Star appearances, a King Clancy Memorial Trophy, and a Mark Messier Leadership Award. In addition to leading the Coyotes in all-time points and power play goals, Doan also leads the team in total goals scored passing Hawerchuk back in December. As the longest-serving NHL Captain still active in the league, Doan was the team’s leading scorer from 2003-2011. Consecutively.
A fan favorite as well as a team mentor, Doan is often referred to as the “heart and soul” of the Arizona Coyotes. Coach Dave Tippett complimented Doan after the win saying, “the commitment he has to the organization, to the city, to his teammates, it’s just amazing to watch everyday”. 20-year old teammate Anthony Duclair agrees, “One day I’m going to tell my kids I played with Shane Doan”.