Shane Doan: Captain Coyote Headed to Toronto

Shane Doan has a new job. He will be the new assistant to newly assigned general manager Brad Treliving with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After 21 seasons with the Jets/Coyotes organizations, Shane Doan announced his retirement. In 1,540 NHL games, he had 972 points (402 goals, 570 assists). He’s the Jets/Coyotes leader in all four categories.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was a Coyotes’ fan prior to being the No. 1 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft and the 2016-17 Calder Trophy winner.

My childhood idol growing up. Amazing player and an even better person. Congrats on an unbelievable career Doaner !

— Auston Matthews (@AM34) August 30, 2017

“I have peace, and I’m so thankful for that,” Doan wrote. “I’ve been blessed and I’m so grateful for the fans and their support. 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.

“I also want say thanks to the Coyotes, who provided me the opportunity to stay in the Valley for 21 years. That’s one of the most meaningful accomplishments of my career, and I’ll forever cherish the friendships I’ve made along the way.”

Toronto Maple Leafs Came Calling

Doan gained some valuable experience in hockey management while serving as Team Canada’s GM at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where Canada finished in sixth place. He had prior front office experience with Hockey Canada, serving as a consultant for the 2019 world championships, an assistant GM at the tournament in 2021, and GM at the 2021 Channel One Cup and Spengler Cup. He also worked in the Coyotes’ front office  as chief hockey development officer in January 2021 but stepped away from the job in September 2022.

Brad Treliving (the new GM of the Leafs) held the role of Vice President of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager with the Phoenix Coyotes for seven seasons, where he also served as the General Manager of the Coyotes’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliates, the Portland Pirates and San Antonio Rampage. Doan has been a longtime friend of Treliving, so it was obvious the two would work well together.

Doan’s New Role With Toronto

He will step in as Treliving’s assistant, and they both have a ton of work to accomplish. “Getting the opportunity to work with (Treliving) was huge,” Doan said. “And, at the same time, the fact it’s the Toronto Maple Leafs — there’s no way you can get around the fact, I don’t care if you love the Leafs or hate the Leafs, which a lot of people do — you can’t ignore the fact that it is where hockey is so huge. Everything that they’ve created and everything that they’ve done as an organization to create the Leafs is special.”

The Leafs need to address re-signing Auston Matthews as well as William Nylander. The future status of head coach Sheldon Keefe is also in their agenda. Doan’s relationship with Matthews since he was 16 years old could influence whether he stays in Toronto.

Around Full Press Hockey

NHL: Arizona Coyotes New Arena Approaches Fateful Vote

NHL:  NHL All-Star Game Thoughts and Possible Changes

NFL: What Eddie Robinson Told Doug Williams After He Made History 35 Years Ago

Full Press Bets:  The Five Most Intriguing NFL Schedules for 2023

PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly Ep 55: Stanley Cup Playoffs, Road Warriors, and More

WANT MORE PODCASTS? Check Out Some Of The Latest From Around The FPC Network

How This Affects the Coyotes

Doan will always be a Coyote. This is an opportunity was too good to pass up.

“I would like to thank Alex Meruelo, Xavier Gutierrez, and Bill Armstrong for providing me with the opportunity to work in the Coyotes front office for the past three seasons. It was an incredible learning experience that prepared me for the next step in my career. It’s extremely difficult for me to leave the Coyotes but the opportunity to work for a storied franchise like the Toronto Maple Leafs was something that I couldn’t pass up. The Coyotes will always be very special to me, and I wish Alex and the organization all the best in the future. The Valley will always be my home.”

All of this was covered by GOPHNX.com.

What must be emphasized is that Doan going to Toronto as NOTHING to do with the Coyotes’ failed Tempe vote to add an entertainment district including a new home for the club. Rumors that he is leaving because he has lost hope in the franchise’s future are simply not true. While the timing may not be ideal, this is all about Doan advancing his NHL career after a long career with the Coyotes. We wish him well.