2004, the World Cup of Hockey. The first in nearly a decade. Team Canada was looking for redemption after falling to the US in 1996. They met the ever pesky Finns in the final and as is usually the case it was nail biter. The teams traded goals and at 2-2 heading to the final period everything was on the line. Then, almost before you could sip your beer, Shane Doan made a great move in front to bury an incredible Joe Thornton pass that proved to be the winner as Canada once again reigned atop the hockey world. This was the biggest goal Shane Doan ever scored and when asked about it afterwards, guy he is, the credit and moment was all about the team.
Few athletes have meant as much in recent history to their franchise as Shane Doan. In fact, if you ask many, the Coyotes would've moved on one of the, well actually, I've lost count of how many times they've appeared headed for relocation, if not for his leadership and commitment to keeping them in the desert. When men like John McCain and Larry Fitzgerald are saying you're among the best leaders they've met, you've done something right. And Doan always seemed to say the right thing, taking home the Mark Messier leadership award in 2012 for his efforts. Even if I personally disagree that the franchise is better off where it is than say, Quebec City Doan was always there for the organisation and the community. His commitment to this new found home was unquestioned and he enjoyed every aspect of what if offered.
The last remaining player from the original Winnipeg Jets, his 21 years with the franchise has seen Doan hold team records in a number of offensive categories. He was the consummate professional and a leader on and off the ice. While relocating from hockey mad Winnipeg to Phoenix must have felt like being shipped off to the basement, Doan helped the franchise create a loyal, all be it small, band of fans who embraced them thanks in large part to his constant, workman like effort and easy going nature with media and fans. Auston Matthews among others is in no doubt a byproduct of this. Doan was a two time all star, a King Clancy Trophy winner and also represented team Canada on a number of occasions. With all his success he stayed loyal to the team through some lean years and saw it have some unexpected runs in the post season as well. The last few years have seen the Coyotes struggle in rebuild mode, and there's little doubt he was asked to waive his no trade clause. However, he has established his family there and couldn't see himself playing for another team. Whether or not that was the wisest decision, we may never know, but you can't fault the guy for wanting to stick it out with the only team he's ever known and believing that he can help them.
This is why it was surprising for so many that the announcement that he wouldn't be resigned came with about as much ceremony as you would announce hiring a new janitor. The team issued a press release but there was little said or done until the other day when he officially announced his retirement. The team then stepped up and made a more formal show of things, and will no doubt be honouring him at some point this season, but one could safely assume there were still some hard feelings. No matter the circumstance though, Doan will be remembered for his compete level on the ice and being the face of the organisation and hockey in Arizona.
The next question is does he don the Maple Leaf again, perhaps even the C, for Team Canada at the upcoming Olympics in Korea. His former teammate Sean Burke is running the team and could use his leadership. Doan was on the 2006 Canadian team (the less we say about it the better...) And when you think about the opportunity, how many guys get to cap their career with a gold medal?
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