AlaskaFlyerFan Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/20505686/shane-doan-arizona-coyotes-announces-retirement Ex-Coyotes captain Shane Doan announces retirement Former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan is retiring from the NHL after 21 seasons, he announced in a letter to fans Wednesday. Doan, 40, has played only for the Coyotes, dating back to before the franchise moved from Winnipeg. He was the seventh overall pick by the Jets in 1995. "I'm so grateful and thankful to the Winnipeg Jets for drafting me and giving me a chance to play my rookie season and when the team moved to the Valley in 1996, all I wanted to know was if the Coyotes would keep giving me a chance to play," Doan said in a first-person letter published in the Arizona Republic. "I could not fathom at the time that I would end up playing in Arizona for the next 21 years, raise a family and call this place home. But that's exactly what happened. And that's why this has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make." Former Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who announced his retirement Wednesday, was the face of the franchise since it arrived in Arizona two decades ago. Christian Petersen/Getty Images Doan, who served as the team's captain from 2003 to 2017, was not re-signed by the Coyotes after last season, as the team said it was time to move on and focus on younger players. He is the team's career leader in just about every significant category, including games played (1,540), shots (3,945), goals (402), assists (570), points (972), power-play goals (128) and game-winning goals (69). His 1,540 games played is tied with John Bucyk for 14th on the NHL's all-time list. "We would like to thank Shane for everything that he's done for our franchise over the past 21 years," the Coyotes said in a statement. "Shane had an incredible career on the ice and we are very proud of everything that he accomplished in a Coyotes uniform. "He will be remembered as one of the greatest captains in NHL history. Off the ice, Shane was a great ambassador for growing the game of hockey in Arizona and his contributions to the community are immeasurable. Shane will be a Coyote for life. Thank you Captain!" Doan was a two-time NHL All-Star selection and also was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice, in 2010. He won five medals, including two golds, representing Canada at the world championships. "I've been blessed and I'm so grateful for the fans and their support," Doan wrote. "They stuck by me throughout my career and the ups and downs of the Coyotes. There are a lot of players with more skill than me and a lot more ability than me that didn't ever get the type of appreciation that I got and the type of respect that the fans gave me, and I'm so grateful for that. I can't express how much I appreciate it. Thank you for watching me grow up, and I enjoyed watching a lot of you grow up, too." Doan contemplated retirement after the 2014-15 season and ended up having a renaissance after he decided to play at least one more year, as he led the Coyotes with 28 goals while adding 19 assists. His 21st season was not as productive. Doan had a decreased role -- at least on the ice -- and had a few injuries that slowed him, causing his numbers to drop to six goals and 21 assists. "Even though my perspective will be different, my love for the NHL won't change and I'll continue to share that passion with the hockey fans in Arizona," Doan wrote. "Thank you for loving the game with me. Thank you for the unwavering support. Thank you for fighting to keep the team here. Thank you for allowing this to be my home. "And thank you for coming to spend a night with me playing hockey. It's been incredible." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxpin Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Class act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 I'm kind of surprised Doan hasn't been offered a position within the organization. Maybe he has and I missed it? Thinking on this more I'll assume the Coyotes retire his NHL # at some point. Does Doan belong in the NHL Hall of Fame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfondajane Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 On 9/1/2017 at 7:29 AM, hf101 said: I'm kind of surprised Doan hasn't been offered a position within the organization. Maybe he has and I missed it? Thinking on this more I'll assume the Coyotes retire his NHL # at some point. Does Doan belong in the NHL Hall of Fame? I would say yes! His 21 years with one organization should say something! To bad he couldn't win a cup or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxpin Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 On 9/1/2017 at 7:29 AM, hf101 said: Does Doan belong in the NHL Hall of Fame? Apparently everyone does. I swear it's become AYSO. 8 hours ago, notfondajane said: I would say yes! His 21 years with one organization should say something! To bad he couldn't win a cup or two. Not only didn't he win a Cup, he only ever even made the playoffs 6 times. I think only once past the 1st round. I think 21 years gets him in the Coyotes hall of fame, if they have one. It gets him much kudos, and it gets him remembered well. If you take the same exact stats but have him moved twice throughout his career (traded or free agent), you have a durable long-term solid player. But not one listed among the "greats." I'm slow to say yes about players. I think I have more of a romantic view of the HOF than what it's become, but it should be reserved for the best of the best, the greatest of the greatest. I don't think it should be just a collection of "yeah, lets remember that guy because.." I've never been to the Hockey HOF. I've been to baseball a few times, but it's been a long time They've watered down their entrance as well. When I was there, they had a whole building of oddities, memorable events or players or whatever, but then there was "the Hall." Wanna have something about Doan in whatever is similar to the "building of oddities, memorable events or players." Sure. But not in "the Hall." I said above that he's a class act, and I don't want to diminish that. But in 21 years, he scored 30 goals I think twice and never hit the 80 pt. plateau. 972 points is a nice total, but it doesn't hit the 1000 point threshold, and when you start realizing that's 21 years worth... Yeah, the answer for me is no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo1917 Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 @ruxpin this is a good post. I think joe or jr have a great scale to assess whether a player is worthy of the HOF. Things like, ever lead the league in scoring ?, ever considered the best or top player at his position ?, was he an all-star ? how many individual trophies did he win ? did this player dominate the league for a time ? there are more, it's a great list. On these particular questions, Shane Doan doesn't show very well. He was a nice player and as you said a class act. But he was never omg Shane Doan is coming to town I gotta see that. He's not even to the Rod Brind'Amour level of greatness let alone the Segeri Federov. I agree he doesn't have the numbers to warrant a bust in the hall. , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.