Shane Doan’s time with the Coyotes ends the longest Arizona career
Jun 20, 2017, 12:47 PM
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
With the split between Shane Doan and the Coyotes after 21 seasons, the franchise has lost its face as well as its longest-tenured player.
Although it’s unknown if Doan will take his experience elsewhere, he finishes his Coyotes career as the franchise leader in games (1,540), goals (402), assists (570), points (972) and many more categories.
The Halkirk, Canada native has played more seasons in the Valley (by far) than any other Arizona professional athlete.
Here’s how the other Arizona teams stack up in regards to players sticking around for a while.
Suns
Alvan Adams: 13 seasons (1975-76–1987-88)
Adams played his entire career with the Suns and remains the franchise leader in minutes (27,203), rebounds (6,937)and steals (1,289).
The center’s only All-Star appearance came during his 1975-76 rookie of the year campaign, one in which the Suns made their first NBA Finals appearance against the Celtics.
Cardinals
Larry Fitzgerald: 13 seasons (2004-)
The nine-time Pro-Bowl selection has played his entire career in Arizona, racking up the team’s records in receptions (1,125), yards (14,389) and touchdowns (104).
The third overall pick in 2004 out of Pittsburgh, Fitzgerlad helped the Cards reach the playoffs four times, and behind his seven touchdowns in the 2008 postseason, the team made its only Super Bowl against the Steelers.
Diamondbacks
Luis Gonzalez: 8 seasons (1999-2006)
Acquired in a trade for Karim Garcia, Gonzalez went on to become one of the most unexpected stars the Valley has ever seen. Now more than a decade since he last played for the team, he still leads the franchise in most batting categories such as hits (1,337), RBI (774) and home runs (224).
Gonzalez is most noted for what he did in 2001, with his 57 home runs and 142 RBI creating regular season memories, while the five-time All-star’s bloop, Game 7, walk-off single against Mariano Rivera gave the D-backs and Arizona a championship.
Randy Johnson: 8 seasons (1999-2004, 2007-2008)
The Big Unit leads the franchise in just about every statistical pitching category, including wins (118), ERA (2.83)and strikeouts (2,077).
He won four of his five Cy Young awards with Arizona, and posted posted a 3-0 record with a 1.04 ERA in the 2001 World Series, helping the D-backs to a victory over the Yankees.
Miguel Montero: 8 seasons (2007-2014)
Montero was a staple behind the plate during his time with the D-backs, hitting .264 with 97 home runs and driving in 448 during his time in Arizona.
The Venezuela native went to two All-Star games, helping the D-backs reach the 2011 postseason, where they would lose in the NLDS to the Brewers.
Mercury
Diana Taurasi: 13 seasons (2004-2014, 2016-)
Chosen with the first overall pick in the 2004 draft, Taurasi has been everything the Mercury hoped she could be. An All-Star, an MVP, a champion and now the league’s all-time leading scorer are all great accomplishments, though they are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her impact on the franchise as well as the sport itself.
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