‘Little bit of a fairytale’: Josh Doan scores twice in unforgettable Arizona Coyotes debut

Josh Doan scored two goals in his NHL debut for the Coyotes, who beat the Blue Jackets 6-2. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

TEMPE – The Doan legacy lives on in the desert.

The NHL debut of an Arizona legend’s descendant made a permanent mark in history on a magical Tuesday night at Mullet Arena.

As the lights dimmed and the fans settled in their seats, a distinct energy that has been long absent swept through the building as the hometown crowd awaited the return of former Arizona State captain Josh Doan, son of former Coyotes captain Shane Doan.

After scoring an overtime winner in his final game as captain of the ASU hockey team at Mullet Arena on March 11, 2023, Josh returned home 381 days later and netted two more goals. This time, he did it in his NHL debut as a member of the Coyotes, the team he revered as a child.

“It’s a unique thing that no one else will ever get a chance to do, so it’s something that is special,” said Josh, who began the season with the Tucson Roadrunners, the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, before joining the parent club Monday. “I love playing in this building, it’s loud and fun to be a part of. Coming back into it, I thought I’d be a little bit more comfortable walking into this building again, but I think the first-game jitters took over.”

With his father, family members and friends in attendance, Josh did what he does best: put on a show. With every touch of the puck the crowd grew more anxious, awaiting a moment where they could explode. At 16:33 of the second period, that moment finally came when Doan batted the puck out of thin air and past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins to net his first NHL goal and give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead in a game they would win 6-2.

“The way he played, he had a good stick, he played the game the right way,” Coyotes coach André Tourigny said.

As the goal was announced, the Coyotes faithful erupted into a standing ovation. Many spectators said it was the loudest they had ever heard Mullet Arena, which seemed fitting, considering Josh was the first Arizona-born player to play for the Coyotes.

“That was something special. I think something I take pride in is in and around the net, that’s where the goals are scored,” Josh said. “Some of my best friends are all down the hallway, a good mix of my ASU buddies, and some of my buddies from home that I grew up with and to share that moment with them is something I will remember forever.”

Josh tipped a shot from forward Matias Maccelli into the net to give the Coyotes a roof-jarring 3-2 lead at 11:32 of the third period, propelling Arizona’s scoring bonanza. When the three stars of the game were announced, if the fans’ vocal cords weren’t ravished yet, they were after Josh Doan was announced as the first star. Shane delivered the game puck to his son following the game.

“It was tough to not feel that tonight. It was a little bit of a fairytale,” Tourigny said. “Score two goals, score the winning goal, play really well, that’s the way life should be. It was beautiful.”

Josh, a native of Scottsdale who grew up playing in the Jr. Coyotes program, was recalled by the Coyotes officially Monday.

Josh Doan smiles as he takes the ice before his NHL debut in Mullett Arena in front of family and friends. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

“Before the game I was a little nervous that I was too relaxed and laid back and I had to figure out a way to get my legs into it,” Josh said.

Shane, who spent his entire 21-season NHL career with the Coyotes franchise, soaked in every moment of the magical night, as he was seen in pure elation at the scene of his son bringing jubilation and vibrancy to a sold-out crowd.

“It’s crazy, like when people clapped for his first shift, it’s cool. This is something special,” Shane said during the game.

Just six years earlier, Shane wrapped up an illustrious NHL career that began when he played for the Winnipeg Jets in 1995-96 before the team moved to Arizona and became the Coyotes. A 14-year captain of the team, Shane Doan’s No. 19 was retired in 2019, and remains the only number in Coyotes franchise history to be sent to the rafters.

Shane leads the Coyotes in games played, points, goals and assists. He appeared in 55 postseason games with the Coyotes/Jets and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2012, which remains the longest postseason run in franchise history.

Shane Doan, who played with the Arizona Coyotes for 21 years, watches from the stands as his son, Josh, skates in the same arena as the one in college. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Following his playing career, Shane joined the Coyotes organization in 2021 as the chief officer of hockey development, before taking a step back ahead of the 2023 season. He is currently with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, working as a special assistant to the general manager.

Named ASU captain on August 26, 2022, Josh made his Mullet Arena debut on October 14, scoring the first goal in arena history. The split logo at center ice featured the Arizona State pitchfork and the Arizona Coyotes Kachina, both of which Josh has now worn on his chest.

After a two-year career with the Sun Devils where he led the team in assists with 25 in 2021-22, and goals with 16 in 2022-23, he joined the Coyotes organization that drafted him with the 37th overall pick in 2021. Josh began his professional career just over 100 miles south of Tempe with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL, recording 52 points, including 29 goals in 76 games (62 this season, 14 last season). Josh leads the Roadrunners this season with 26 goals.

Tuesday night marked the first time a father-son duo has scored a goal for the Coyotes in franchise history. With Josh Doan’s debut in the books, the team looks forward to the spark he can provide in the near future.

Josh’s debut came at a pivotal time of uncertainty about the future of NHL hockey in Arizona. With looming concerns about a future arena, the Scottsdale native certainly gave reason to believe hockey can keep flourishing in the desert.