Well Coyotes fans, the news you’ve been dying to hear is finally coming to fruition. Reported first last night by PHNX Arizona Chapter Chair member and all-around Coyote guru Craig Morgan, the Arizona Coyotes are calling up Josh Doan, son of franchise great Shane, from the American Hockey League (AHL).
Josh is no stranger to the Valley, having been born in Arizona, and playing college hockey at Arizona State University for coach Greg Powers. With news of the call-up, he will become the first Arizona born kid to play for ASU, the Tucson Roadrunners, and now the Arizona Coyotes in league history. His path to the NHL has been quite the talk as well.
Rise To The NHL
Josh’s eventual path to the NHL starts back in Arizona in 2015, where he’d spend four seasons playing Triple A hockey for the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes. During his time at the Triple-A level, he would go on to amass 41 goals and 46 assists for 87 points in 76 games. From there, his path would take him to the United States Hockey League (USHL), playing for the Chicago Steel. In his first season with the Steel, he would register just 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 45 games.
Looking to elevate his game to the next stage, with the hopes of following in his father’s footsteps and getting drafted, Doan worked tirelessly heading into his second season. The hard work put in would show in his production, having a monster year, recording 70 points (31 goals, 39 assists) in 53 games with Chicago. In just a year, Doan would quintuple his numbers from a season prior, putting him on the team’s draft boards heading into the 2021 NHL Draft.
With his father, who at the time was working with the organization in the front office, sitting in the room, the Coyotes would use their second round pick to take Josh 37th overall. A moment forever etched into the fabric of Coyotes’ history. Josh would stay local from that moment on, committing to Arizona State putting up 75 points in 74 games (28 goals, 47 assists) over two seasons, while serving as the team’s captain his sophomore season.
Tearing It Up In Tucson
After much consideration and after talking with his parents, Josh would shock many with his decision to leave ASU at the conclusion of his sophomore season and sign his entry level contract with the Coyotes. Now, with Tucson, Doan would finish the season playing 14 games with the Roadrunners, recording six points on three goals and three assists. He would add an additional point in three playoff games.
Heading into the 2023-24 season, much of the talk in the desert was centered around Logan Cooley, the team’s third overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, signing his entry-level contract. As well as Dylan Guenther, whom the Coyotes were hoping to elevate his game to the next step. Josh wasn’t cast aside, though. Instead, he would go on to light up the AHL in his first full season, recording 46 points (26 goals, 20 assists) in 62 games before his call-up. He led the second place Roadrunners in scoring, while also serving as one of the team’s two AHL All-Star game nominations.
What To Look Forward To, What To Expect?
For the diehards, like myself, who are anxiously awaiting to see that familiar last name on the back of a Coyotes sweater once again, you won’t have to wait long. The Coyotes play tomorrow night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, where Josh is expected to make his NHL debut.
With just 10 games remaining for the Coyotes, fans will get their first look at the next potential superstar in Arizona before he heads back to Tucson to chase a potential Calder Cup Championship. Maybe, just maybe, but we might get our first ever look at the Cooley-Doan-Guenther line. Until then, the Valley awaits, as the next generation of future stars make their mark in Arizona.
