SPOTLIGHT ON
Coyotes winger Shane Doan
Doan, 33, is the only member of the Coyotes who played for the Winnipeg Jets before the franchise was moved to Phoenix in 1996. So he’s been through it all in Phoenix — the days in the comically inappropriate downtown arena that was designed for basketball, the move to a terrific new building in suburban Glendale, and the ownership bankruptcy and drama that made it seem as if the franchise’s days either were numbered or the team was headed to Hamilton, Ontario.
Now the Phoenix captain is enjoying the Coyotes’ renaissance this season as one of the NHL’s major surprises under new coach Dave Tippett, who replaced Wayne Gretzky. Doan had 17 goals and a team-leading 47 points after Friday night’s game against the Avalanche.
“We kind of got it going at the end of last year,” Doan said after the morning skate Friday. “This year, we brought in some new veteran guys and then, obviously, ‘Tip’ has helped a lot.”
The distractions last season were numerous, and the Coyotes now seemed destined to stay, barring any unforeseen snags in the league’s sale of the team to a group committed to keeping the franchise in Glendale. Attendance has been horrible, but given all the uncertainty, that’s understandable. One thing we’ve learned in Denver: In this era of high ticket prices, the fall off the bandwagon — at least in terms of ticket sales — is sudden, the return only gradual.
“There was so much negative press,” Doan said. “That was about the team, about everybody in general, about the organization and the city. You want to generate some positive energy and positive thoughts about the whole situation. That was the hardest part, to have everyone kind of bash everything. I’ve been there the longest.
“There’s no doubt in my mind it can make it in Phoenix. It’s proven over and over again it can be an incredible sports town in every situation, in every sport. Because there’s so many options, you’re going to have to provide a winner. If you have a winner, they will more than support you.”
Terry Frei, The Denver Post
