Before he set out on a path to became arguably the greatest player in Arizona Coyotes history, Shane Doan, a native of Halkirk, Alta., had a decision to make.
"I didn't really have much of a choice," Doan said Sunday. "I was between being a hockey player and a cowboy and I had to recognize the fact I wasn't tough enough to be a cowboy...so I had to be a hockey player."
The greatest Coyote of all.#ThankYouDoan pic.twitter.com/aijIPr6P6D
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 25, 2019
After a stellar 21-year career, the Coyotes honored their former team captain Sunday by retiring his No. 19. Once the maroon red banner bearing his name and number rose to the top of Gila River Arena, Doan became the first player in Coyotes history to have his number retired.
Doan, 42, was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1995 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. After spending one season in Winnipeg, Doan and the rest of the franchise relocated to Arizona the following year. While the organization has struggled since the move, Doan was a standout performer for the club during his 21-year career.
We’re proud to join the @ArizonaCoyotes in honouring Shane Doan’s jersey retirement tonight!
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) February 24, 2019
Doan was drafted by Winnipeg in 1995 and played with the Jets one season before the relocation to Phoenix.
We’ll be wearing #19 during tonight’s warm up! pic.twitter.com/ze4O2AeYYo
Doan is the Coyotes' all-time leader in games played (1,540), goals (402), assists (570), points (972), power play goals (128) and game-winning goals (69). During his career, Doan registered 20 goals in 13 seasons and eclipsed 50 points on 11 occasions. Doan was also a member of the Coyotes' 2012 run to the Western Conference Finals.
With fans, local sports celebrities, family and a drove of former teammates in attendance, Doan persisted with use of one word: sacrifice. It wasn't his sacrifice, however. It was his parents' sacrifice when he decided to pursue the game as a child; it was the sacrifice of his family during his two-decade career; and it was the sacrifice of his teammates.
"Hockey's taught me to put others first," Doan said. "When I was tired it told me to keep going, when I thought I thought I didn't have anything left, it asked for more.
"It humbled me when I gave everything and still ended up not on top. It gave me more joy than I could ever imagine and it gave me a community of best, lifelong friends."