Franchise relocation a family tradition for Doans

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This article was published 20/01/2025 (288 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SALT LAKE CITY — Like father, like son? In more ways than one.

Shane Doan’s rookie NHL season came with the 1995-96 Winnipeg Jets, who are best known for packing their bags and heading to the desert the following year.

Josh Doan’s rookie NHL season came with the 2023-24 Arizona Coyotes, who are best known for packing their bags and heading to the mountains the following year.

“It’s crazy how it worked out that way,” the younger Doan said Monday. “A lot of people have teased me about it, saying we’re a curse. If you take a Doan, then your team is going to move the season after you play your first.”

The 22-year-old, who was born in Scottsdale, Ariz., was looking forward to facing his Dad’s old team for the first time Monday night at his newest hockey home in Salt Lake City.

A real full-circle moment, if you will.

“He’s always said how grateful he was for the opportunity to start his career in Winnipeg,” said Doan. “He loved it. There were so many guys there who kind of molded him into who he became as a player and a person.”

Shane appeared in 74 games with Jets 1.0 (7G, 10A) after being drafted in the first-round, seventh-overall, in 1995. The Alberta native would go on to play 1,466 games with the Coyotes over 20 incredible years, with 955 points (395G, 560A) in that span.

Josh, who played two seasons with the Chicago Steel in the USHL then two more at Arizona State University, was drafted in the second-round (37th-overall) by the Coyotes in 2021. He played 76 American Hockey League games in Tucson, Ariz., over two seasons before an impressive 11-game NHL audition last year in which he had nine points (5G, 4A).

“He’s always said how grateful he was for the opportunity to start his career in Winnipeg.”– Shane Doan speaking about his son, Josh

This year has included a few bumps, along with a 25-game stint in the AHL (still in Tucson) and now 15 games and counting with the re-located big club in Utah. He had two goals and one assist prior to facing the Jets.

“This is the level we all dream about playing,” said Doan.

“I got an opportunity to go down and play some big minutes in the AHL and grow my game a little bit more. Now it’s about coming back up here and finding my full stride and try to help the team win some hockey games at a crucial time of the year.”

The young right-winger has leaned on his father for plenty of advice about navigating the NHL waters, including what it’s like to see the team get up and leave.

“He’s been the biggest help for me in this move and what it’s like to go from one city to another and try to embrace both cities at the same time,” he said.

“It’s obviously a unique experience. But you’re all going together. We got a chance to come here as a group, all the staff came. So it was a pretty swift and easy transition for the group.”

Doan was also looking forward to making his first NHL trip to Winnipeg later this week as Utah visits Canada Life Centre on Friday.

“I played there growing up as a kid. We’d play spring hockey and had a tournament in Winnipeg couple times,” he said. “But I haven’t been there since I was younger.”

“The people are so friendly and outgoing. A little bit colder than (Arizona), but not too cold. You get all the seasons, which is nice.”– Josh Doan on living in Salt Lake City

Doan has another option to talk Jets 1.0 without leaving his own dressing room. Teammate Jack McBain is the son of Andrew McBain, who played six seasons with Winnipeg between 1983-1989.

Doan is currently being given a big opportunity in the top six as he skated Monday night on the second line with Barrett Hayton and Matias Maccelli. Utah is trying to find some additional offence with forward Dylan Guenther sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury.

He is now soaking up the beautiful scenery and energy in the NHL’s newest market and would love to carve out the type of long, successful career his father had — but perhaps with a Stanley Cup or two along the way.

“The people are so friendly and outgoing. A little bit colder than (Arizona), but not too cold. You get all the seasons, which is nice,” said Doan

“You look around the league at other teams and the way that they have (won). I think we’ve got a group now and we’re pretty confident. I think it’s just one of those fun and exciting groups that wants to play fast and have fun and grow together. It all starts in the room and transitions on to the ice.” said Doan.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg