Shane Doan is an amiable and addicted hockey lifer who never backs down from a challenge. When the winger was contemplating his NHL future on the back nine of a career that would conclude at 22 seasons in 2016-17, he summed up his connection to hockey with a succinct summation: "I love the game and the day I'm retired, I'll be playing in a men's league somewhere," chuckled Doan. "I love to coach my boys and play, and I'll always have something to do with the game — whether someone sees it or not, I don't know."
As an NHL executive and adviser, plus Hockey Canada consultant, general manager and coach on international stages, Doan built a foundation as a forward thinker with an impactful presence and well-respected demeanour and accountability. He makes people around him feel good about themselves in a work environment that's inclusive and not divided.
As the Vancouver Canucks zero in on hiring a new general manager before the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5 — Edmonton Oilers assistant GM Bill Scott is reportedly the latest granted a Zoom interview — they may have also found their next president of hockey operations in the 49-year-old Doan. Especially with Jim Rutherford expected to step aside after the draft.
When Brad Treliving became Toronto Maple Leafs general manager in 2023, he quickly appointed Doan to a position as his special adviser. He had been chief hockey development officer with the Arizona Coyotes, where Treliving served as assistant GM. What became instantly evident in Toronto the past three years was Doan's passion and willingness to own mistakes and offer solutions to chart a better path for the struggling Maple Leafs. It added another layer of growth to go with Spengler Cup, World Championship and Winter Olympics executive experiences.
None of this should be surprising, especially if you have spent any time around Doan, an engaging Halkirk, Alta., native. As a young, emerging, dominant and respectful WHL player, his willingness to embrace pressure to perform led to championships and widespread critical acclaim. At the 1995 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, Doan responded with nine points (4-5) in four games to be named most-valuable player as the Blazers went undefeated to claim back-to-back titles.
Doan then became the seventh-overall draft selection by the Winnipeg Jets that summer and would become captain and driving force behind the troubled Phoenix Coyotes, who were rebranded Arizona Coyotes for a wider appeal in hopes of keeping the franchise in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes won the Pacific Division title in 2011-12 and advanced to the Western Conference final before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Kings, who would win the Stanley Cup in six games over the New Jersey Devils. Doan had nine points (5-4) in 16 playoff games, and as a pending unrestricted free agent, he drew interest from the Canucks.
Doan's durability, leadership and ability to raise his game in the post-season were coveted by the Canucks, who lacked a true power forward. Although he turned 36 that October, Doan had only missed 15 games the previous five seasons and was coming off 22 goals and 50 points. There was the risk Doan might not play out the length of a contract, but he wasn't wired that way and could probably play into his late 30s.
The Canucks wooed the winger on merits of a cosmopolitan city to raise four children, a competitive club and close proximity to Kamloops, where Doan honed his skills and met wife, Andrea. However, they had to also sell Doan on the concept of dollars and sense. And it was hard to imagine the Canucks going north of the $6.1 million US cap hit of Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Doan would re-sign with the Coyotes that September, but left money on the table because of his allegiance to the franchise. His four-year, $21.2 million extension was more about loyalty than hitting a home run. Eleven teams sought his services as were offering well above his expiring $4.55 million salary cap hit.
What struck the Canucks back then was Doan's admiration of the Sedins, which of course, could be rekindled here if he becomes president of hockey operations. "If I could play the game the way those guys play, yeah, I'd like to play a lot longer," he told me. "I play a little different and they're skilled. It's a little harder work for me than them. They're pretty special and it's a very unique and honourable thing for them to stay with the same organization throughout their careers. It's something that I think is very important."
Doan also sounded like he was talking about the present-day, roster-rebuild Canucks when chronicling what the Coyotes were trying to accomplish to get to a competitive place and remain relevant. "We thought we had potential but we've got to prove it and it's going to take a lot longer," he admitted. "It's going to take a year or two or three to create an atmosphere of where we expect to win every night. Be one of the contenders that other teams are going to have to go through to have success. We're getting closer but it's a long duration. Having stability in the organization is probably the first staple."
OVERTIME — Oilers assistant GM Bill Scott brings a big portfolio to his Canucks interview. He handles player and staff contract negotiations, scheduling, salary arbitration, salary cap management and is NHL liaison to collective bargaining agreement. He was also AHL director of hockey operations for four seasons.
