ARIZONA COYOTES

Shane Doan’s jersey retirement about more than just hockey

Feb 24, 2019, 8:02 PM | Updated: 9:38 pm

From left to right Shane Doan, left, wife Andrea Doan, children Carson Doan, Josh Doan, and Karys D...

From left to right Shane Doan, left, wife Andrea Doan, children Carson Doan, Josh Doan, and Karys Doan, watch as the Arizona Coyotes retire Shane's jersey during a ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Having one’s jersey retired is an honor reserved for only the greatest players in a team’s history. But the Arizona Coyotes put No. 19 in the rafters for both its greatest player and ambassador.

Shane Doan was described Sunday by his former teammates as, first and foremost, a great friend and person. Tyson Nash might’ve said it best, telling of the time Doan cared about Nash when his mother was battling a life-threatening illness.

“When I look up at that jersey, it won’t be the goals, assists and points. I will remember the stories, the dinners, the card games, the celebrations, the losses, the inside jokes, the wrestling matches, the smile,” Nash said. “The best person I ever got to call my friend, my teammate and my captain. I love you, buddy.”

Among those to speak were NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen, Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson, former Coyote Daniel Briere, along with Nash and Doan.

“He is truly a captain of all times,” Bettman said. “He truly is a leader who is respected and admired. And as I got to know Shane over the years, I’ll tell you a couple things: 1) He is truly a great guy with incredible integrity, and 2) this franchise wouldn’t be here without him.”

After the ceremony, Doan was asked about the crowd that was attendance to see his number retired forever. He joked that he was surprised they were all there, because he would’ve been late if he were attending as a fan.

Then he acted in typical Doan character, exhibiting the humility that endeared him to his teammates: He said he had a hard time even walking out onto the ice because he didn’t feel comfortable with all the attention he was getting.

“I don’t even know how to express it. I’ve been trying to say thank you since they announced it and I’m still trying to say thank you for it,” he said. “It’s one of those things that your gratitude and your appreciation, you can’t express it in words. You can’t express it to people. My emotions are all over the map.

“It was amazing. It was absolutely amazing.”

Cohen remembered a time that he was in his first season with the organization, and Doan was leaving just ahead of him after a tough loss. About half an hour after Cohen left, he remembered he left something in the building. He turned around, returned to the arena, and when he got there, Doan was still signing autographs and conversing with fans.

“On behalf of the entire Arizona Coyotes organization and our great fans, thank you for everything you’ve done for our franchise and for Arizona,” Cohen said.

A video played with messages from current and former NHL players, as well as other familiar faces. Among those featured in the video were Kings forward Dustin Brown, country music artist Garth Brooks, former Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, former Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle and many more.

Then, it was Doan’s turn to talk.

“I have an old proverb that I absolutely love. And it says that if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” he said. “And the only reason that I’m here and the only reason I’m celebrated is because of everything that everyone sacrificed around me.”

After the speeches, a banner with “DOAN 19” was raised to the ceiling. Then, the former Coyotes captain was presented with a custom Coyotes No. 19 golf cart and a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

“I have been begging in the last year and a half for my wife to see if I could get a Harley,” he said with a smile.

After 1,540 games and seemingly a million meaningful interactions with fans, teammates, opponents, coaches and staff, he’s earned it.

From left to right Shane Doan, left, wife Andrea Doan, children Carson Doan, Josh Doan, and Karys Doan, watch as the Arizona Coyotes retire Shane's jersey during a ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Arizona Coyotes team honors Shane Doan, left, with his wife Andrea, during a jersey retirement ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Former Arizona Coyotes hockey captain Shane Doan gets emotional as he speaks during his jersey retirement ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Former Arizona Coyotes hockey captain Shane Doan waves to fans as he arrives during his jersey retirement ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against theWinnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) From left to right Shane Doan, left, wife Andrea Doan, children Carson Doan, Josh Doan, and Karys Doan, watch as the Arizona Coyotes retire Shane's jersey during a ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Arizona Coyotes team and staff along with fans look up at the scoreboard as the team honors Shane Doan during his jersey retirement ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks as the Arizona Coyotes team honors Shane Doan during Doan's jersey retirement ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) From left to right Shane Doan, left, wife Andrea Doan, children Carson Doan, Josh Doan, and Karys Doan, watch as the Arizona Coyotes retire Shane's jersey during a ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) gives up a goal to Winnipeg Jets' Patrik Laine as Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (29) celebrates his goal against the Arizona Coyotes with Jets left wing Kyle Connor, second from left, as Jets right wing Blake Wheeler, second from right, and Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) skate nearby during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) sends the puck past Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81), defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (5), and goaltender Laurent Brossoit (30) for a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) and Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp (9) tangles with one another during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Coyotes center Brad Richardson (15) celebrates his goal against the Winnipeg Jets with Coyotes' Vinnie Hinostroza (13) as Jets center Bryan Little (18) skates past during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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