Sometimes good things take time to come to fruition. Today, in a long overdue announcement the Arizona Coyotes finally added their famed captain to their front office. It was a move many anticipated yet were skeptical if it would actually happen. Shane Doan is the new Chief Hockey Development Officer.
HE’S BACK.
Today, we officially announce Shane Doan as Chief Hockey Development Officer.
Welcome home, Captain! https://t.co/q5u2xymaRF
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) January 11, 2021
Arizona Coyotes Finally Give Shane Doan a Front Office Gig
It had been rumoured for some time now that the team should hire Doan, a Coyotes’ legend to some kind of front office position. That took place today when it was announced that in his new role he will support the team’s business and hockey operations departments and will be in on any major team decisions and initiatives. It’s about time! The new position finds Doan, a former player for 21 seasons with the club reporting directly to Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez. “We are very excited to welcome Shane Doan back to the Coyotes organization,” said Coyotes Owner, Chairman & Governor Alex Meruelo. “No one has done more for the Coyotes or for the game of hockey in Arizona than Shane. We look forward to working with him for many years to come.”
Good News For the Valley of the Sun
Doan was welcomed by new general manager Bill Armstrong. “Shane Doan was a great player who played 21 seasons in the NHL,” said Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong. “He is highly respected around the League and has a wealth of hockey knowledge to share. He will be a valuable addition to our hockey operations department and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Shane Doan is a class act and he will certainly help the team advance its goals of becoming an elite competitor in the league. He voiced his excitement to get down to work.
“I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said Doan. “I am extremely proud to have played my entire career for the Coyotes and all I want is for this franchise to be successful on and off the ice. The Valley is an incredible hockey market with a loyal and passionate fan base and with Mr. Meruelo, we now have strong and stable ownership and a very bright future in Arizona. I’m looking forward to working with Mr. Meruelo, Xavier and Bill and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’d also like to thank Gary Bettman, Bill Daly, Colin Campbell and the NHL’s hockey operations department for the incredible opportunity to work for the League the past three years. I was able to gain invaluable experience that helped prepare me for this opportunity with the Coyotes.”
What This Means for the Future of the Coyotes
Most any NHL team would love to have a player with Doan’s charisma working in their front office. For whatever reason, it took a while to complete, but now Doan can put his talents to work and stay with the organization he has been with for quite a long time.
It can only mean good things for the Coyotes going forward. If he can put the abilities he displayed on the ice to work in the front office, the team will have a winner… well, they already have one in Shane Doan.
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