It's rare that a franchise player stays with the same organization for their entire career … through a cross-continent relocation … and through constant rumours of another relocation seemingly around every corner.
Shane Doan told his story to The Players' Tribune Tuesday, covering the move from Winnipeg to Phoenix, the Gretzky years, and the loyalty of local fans.
Here are a few highlights.
On the change in weather between Manitoba and Arizona:
"I'll never forget the first time we got flown down to Phoenix from Winnipeg to check out our new city. We'd all heard rumours that the team was going to move to Minnesota, which seemed to make enough sense. But I can't say Arizona was really on our radar. It was -30 degrees when the plane took off from Manitoba and it was a balmy 70 when we landed in Phoenix. It was like we had landed on a foreign planet."
On his staying power with the Jets/Coyotes organization:
"And that's really how it works in this profession, unfortunately: If you get moved one time, it generally happens again and again. And at that point, even if you're a high-caliber player, it can be difficult to stick because you don't get to establish yourself in any one place. When you watch the really great teams, you notice a certain flow and grace in their play. You'll see a special chemistry on their best lines. That takes time to develop."
On the players that wore letters before his captaincy:
"A lot of times, being a good captain means being part hockey player, part human resources rep, part therapist ... The three captains I had coming up were Kris King, Keith Tkachuk and Teppo Numminen — absolute class acts by every measure."
On Coach Gretzky:
"I'll never forget one time when Wayne got pissed at Steven Reinprecht for something. Afterwards, it was like Reino was in shock. "I wore Wayne Gretzky pajamas as a kid and had Wayne Gretzky posters all over my walls growing up! I can't believe he just screamed at me!" It was like Santa Claus coming down the chimney and leaving a note saying he was disappointed in you."
On the benefits of keeping the family in one place:
"My daughter is a junior in high school now and she's been friends with the same kids since she was two. I can't tell you how thankful I am for that."
On the loyalty of Coyotes fans:
"In Phoenix, there have been long stretches when it's been bad — really bad. But the fans still showed up. We'd be surrounded by rumours that we were going to relocate, and I'd look up in the stands and see familiar faces wearing my jersey and pounding on the glass. Who wouldn't skate through a brick wall for them?"
On winning a Stanley Cup in Arizona:
"I get asked often about the loyalty I feel towards this organization. I get asked why I've turned down other opportunities so that I can keep playing hockey in what some people characterize as not an ideal situation. I've already given plenty of examples of why I love it here, but on a basic level, my biggest reason for wanting to stick around all these years is simple: This organization drafted me to win a Stanley Cup, and I still plan to deliver on my end of the bargain."
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