A good first managerial step in another long career hopefully for Shane Doan.
Back when we had those season ticket holder meet and greets his seat was the first you came to ( at least this time.. we met the team upstairs then the team went to the concourse downstairs)
Anyway, I was trying to think of something to say to him.
In the course of my many occupations I came acquainted with horses and “ rain scald”.
He saw I was really trying and as we had to move along to the next player, he got up, moved along the line with me behind each player I was getting an autograph from, was acting like that was the most fascinating conversation he was having that day and walked all the way to the end of the line looking me right in the eye and talking about rain scald.
I shake my head and apologize to him.. I was a REALLY fired up star struck fan back then.
I'm honestly glad his reunion took this long rather than rushing him into a job. Shane got a world of experience and perspectives he can bring to this position, which will allow him to do the quality job that he expects of himself. Congratulations Mr. Doan, you earned it!
I just had a chance to watch the presser. As he should, Craig got the first question. What really struck me is that Shane really smiled up when they announced that Craig was asking. I'm guessing that Javier and GMBA are relatively new relationships for Shane, but it occurred to me like a very familiar 'I'm home' moment to Shane when answering to Craig. Your access to him and his trust in you Craig will again make this site second to none.
Everyone has their Doan stories. There are probably 1000 like mine, but mine is personal. At a STH holder event some years ago, I let my wife have the wrist band to meet Shane. She is a green card holder with English as a 2nd language and typically is very reserved at these things and usually says little to players. She went to Shane's table, his attention was on her only the entire 5 minutes or so, he never looked away, asked her family questions, asked her questions about her love of hockey, got her talking and laughing and was in no hurry to move on. The Coyotes handler was harrumphing after a while, but he made her feel like the most important person in the world for those five minutes. I stood about 10 feet away and watched and marveled. She doesn't talk about it much, but will only wear her Doan jersey since then.
Yeah, I know that's his style, but that is why this can be so important. If he is allowed both to interact with people: fans, business partners, media as part of his duties as well as impart his hockey knowledge and values onto the organization, this move can only make the team and how it is viewed better.
The title of your article captures everyone’s thoughts exactly. Let’s hope this is a good omen for the start of the season. Maybe you should check in at Mrs. Rita’s.
I met Doan a couple of times during the lockout. You could go to the ice den and watch pond hockey style games with Morrow, Marleau, Ryan Miller, Scott Hartnall, Biz was there...You could just stand against the glass and watch. It was incredible.
It was all very low key until Crosby showed up in town for a couple of 'games'. Word got out and this attracted a crowd around the exit door the players usually used. Sid never showed up at that exit door with the rest of the players, so the next day I went to the door other side of the building. Sure enough, young Sid, escorted by Doan, were sneaking out the back way. Doan saw me, did his embarrassed shrug, then made a 'shhhh' with his finger. I said "Caught ya!" and he and Sid just smiled and thanked me for coming to watch.
I'm so excited to see Doan back! Thank you for such an amazing article about this moment. I can't wait to see what comes from this.
I've always thought Doan is the kind of person that just makes people want to go that step further, work that little bit harder and overall believe in the mission in front of them. Need people like that.
He is that kind of person. And he is one of the best human beings I have ever met. The genuine article, as I wrote about 18 years ago when he was named the captain.
Thanks for a great read. Short of bringing home the cup , nothing could make fans happier than bringing the Doaner home. Now we can start on the path to the cup because no Coyotes cup would have been complete without his name on it.
Outstanding article Craig.
A good first managerial step in another long career hopefully for Shane Doan.
Back when we had those season ticket holder meet and greets his seat was the first you came to ( at least this time.. we met the team upstairs then the team went to the concourse downstairs)
Anyway, I was trying to think of something to say to him.
In the course of my many occupations I came acquainted with horses and “ rain scald”.
He saw I was really trying and as we had to move along to the next player, he got up, moved along the line with me behind each player I was getting an autograph from, was acting like that was the most fascinating conversation he was having that day and walked all the way to the end of the line looking me right in the eye and talking about rain scald.
I shake my head and apologize to him.. I was a REALLY fired up star struck fan back then.
Glad to have him back. Great article Craig.
I just had to look up rain scald.
I'm honestly glad his reunion took this long rather than rushing him into a job. Shane got a world of experience and perspectives he can bring to this position, which will allow him to do the quality job that he expects of himself. Congratulations Mr. Doan, you earned it!
Fair point.
Best off-season move by a country mile.
Thanks for the great in-depth analysis that this deserved. It was great to hear from all the past teammates and staff involved with the franchise.
Thanks, Dan. This one definitely warranted an extra mile or two in reporting.
I just had a chance to watch the presser. As he should, Craig got the first question. What really struck me is that Shane really smiled up when they announced that Craig was asking. I'm guessing that Javier and GMBA are relatively new relationships for Shane, but it occurred to me like a very familiar 'I'm home' moment to Shane when answering to Craig. Your access to him and his trust in you Craig will again make this site second to none.
There are others in media who have covered him as long (Todd Walsh most notably), but yeah, relationships matter.
Outstanding news. If I knew Shane, his impact on the team will be noticeable.
I tend to agree.
Everyone has their Doan stories. There are probably 1000 like mine, but mine is personal. At a STH holder event some years ago, I let my wife have the wrist band to meet Shane. She is a green card holder with English as a 2nd language and typically is very reserved at these things and usually says little to players. She went to Shane's table, his attention was on her only the entire 5 minutes or so, he never looked away, asked her family questions, asked her questions about her love of hockey, got her talking and laughing and was in no hurry to move on. The Coyotes handler was harrumphing after a while, but he made her feel like the most important person in the world for those five minutes. I stood about 10 feet away and watched and marveled. She doesn't talk about it much, but will only wear her Doan jersey since then.
Yeah, I know that's his style, but that is why this can be so important. If he is allowed both to interact with people: fans, business partners, media as part of his duties as well as impart his hockey knowledge and values onto the organization, this move can only make the team and how it is viewed better.
The title of your article captures everyone’s thoughts exactly. Let’s hope this is a good omen for the start of the season. Maybe you should check in at Mrs. Rita’s.
COVID strikes again. Probably next year.
Excellent article, Craig.
Thanks, Brandon.
I met Doan a couple of times during the lockout. You could go to the ice den and watch pond hockey style games with Morrow, Marleau, Ryan Miller, Scott Hartnall, Biz was there...You could just stand against the glass and watch. It was incredible.
It was all very low key until Crosby showed up in town for a couple of 'games'. Word got out and this attracted a crowd around the exit door the players usually used. Sid never showed up at that exit door with the rest of the players, so the next day I went to the door other side of the building. Sure enough, young Sid, escorted by Doan, were sneaking out the back way. Doan saw me, did his embarrassed shrug, then made a 'shhhh' with his finger. I said "Caught ya!" and he and Sid just smiled and thanked me for coming to watch.
I'm so glad he is back!
I suspect that feeling is universal.
I hope Shane Doan is staying in shape. We may need him to lace up the skates one last time in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ha!
I'm so excited to see Doan back! Thank you for such an amazing article about this moment. I can't wait to see what comes from this.
I've always thought Doan is the kind of person that just makes people want to go that step further, work that little bit harder and overall believe in the mission in front of them. Need people like that.
He is that kind of person. And he is one of the best human beings I have ever met. The genuine article, as I wrote about 18 years ago when he was named the captain.
Finally! Thanks for all the background interviews Craig!
Enjoyed writing this one, Craig.
Life begins to return to normal.
Aye.
Awesome news for sure.
Thanks for a great read. Short of bringing home the cup , nothing could make fans happier than bringing the Doaner home. Now we can start on the path to the cup because no Coyotes cup would have been complete without his name on it.
Can we get a suit coat with C on the lapel and 19 on the back in the team shop?
Love this idea. What's your Twitter handle?
@Imaravencawcaw
Ah, yes. You are a Nattie Hattie mainstay!
John Chayka's most egregious error has, finally, been reversed.