After 21 years in the Arizona Coyotes organization, former captain Shane Doan has announced his retirement from the NHL. On Wednesday, The Arizona Republic first reported Doan’s retirement in a cover story and exclusive interview.
Former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan retires after 21 years in the NHL
Doan leaves behind a long and historic legacy with the Coyotes franchise.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Doan, 40, has been a member of the Coyotes organization since before they moved to Arizona. The right winger was drafted seventh overall in the 1995 draft by the original Winnipeg Jets, and was the only remaining member of that franchise left in the NHL.
Over the span of 21 seasons, Doan played 1,540 games in the NHL, tying him for 14th all time in the league with John Bucyk of Boston. For the last 14 years, Doan was the Coyotes’ captain — and the NHL’s longest-serving captain — and his 402 career goals now lead the franchise. In total, Doan put up 972 points across 21 seasons in the NHL.
In June, the Coyotes made the decision to not offer Doan a contract for the upcoming season, leaving questions as to whether the 40-year-old would continue playing in the NHL. Instead of trying his hand at a Stanley Cup with another team, Doan has instead retired from the game of hockey.
In his statement to The Arizona Republic, Doan said that he believed well back in April that he had played his last game.
When the game ended, I remember thinking, “This is the last NHL game I’ll be on the ice looking up instead of looking down.” And 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.
In leaving the NHL, Doan holds the Coyotes franchise scoring records for goals, assists, points. You can read more coverage of Doan’s retirement at our Coyotes blog, Five For Howling.
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