ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes coach Tippett: Few teams have guy like Shane Doan

Jan 16, 2013, 8:59 PM | Updated: Jan 17, 2013, 1:08 am

LISTEN: Dave Tippett, Coyotes' head coach

In sports, repeating a successful season that includes a winning record, a conference championship and a late playoff run can be a strenuous goal for any team.

Doing so when returning from a hectic off-season that included a player lockout only adds to the struggle.

Luckily for the Phoenix Coyotes, the team has a coach on and off the ice.

Seventeen-year Coyote veteran and team captain Shane Doan exuded the persona of head coach Dave Tippett throughout the entire lockout.

From organizing practices to keeping in touch with fellow teammates, Doan took — what could be considered — the franchise into his own hands.

Tippett joined Arizona Sports 620’s Burns & Gambo and talked about the captain and the 2013 season.

“(He’s) an invaluable piece of our organization,” Tippett said of Doan. “He is all on board with everything to move this organization ahead. He is phenomenal.”

Along with the NHL lockout, the Coyotes and their fans had to experience the drama of whether Doan — let alone the team — would remain in Glendale. A free agent, Doan chose to remain with the only NHL franchise he’s ever known at a somewhat discounted rate.

“From a coaching standpoint…there’s very few teams that can have a guy like that in that dressing room,” Tippett said. “That’s why it was so important to bring him back.”

While veterans are important for a team’s development and clique, this year’s Coyotes only bring in three new players in winger Steve Sullivan, center David Moss and winger Nick Johnson.

Tippett expects Sullivan to fill in for Ray Whitney, who the team did not re-sign after he tallied a team-high 77 points.

“Ray had an unbelievable year for us last year,” Tippett said. “We don’t expect Sully to come in and fill that whole void. Hopefully he can mesh with (Martin) Hanzal and (Radim) Vrbata the way Whitney did.”

The return of defenseman Zbynek Michalek will add the to depth of the Coyotes’ blue line, and Tippett says that is just as — if not more — important than the offense.

“He was a key (addition) for us this summer,” Tippett said of Michalek. “In critical situations, when you’re up a goal in the last minute, he’s a guy who plays in all those situations.

“People always look at the offensive guys and think that’s how you win, but there’s critical points in the game where you need those guys that are willing to sacrifice everything to keep the puck out of your net.”

The Coyotes will have a scrimmage Wednesday night in place of practice to prepare for the regular season opener Saturday night against Dallas. The scrimmage is at Jobing.com Arena and is open to the public.

“Hopefully we can get up and going quickly,” Tippett said. “It should be an exciting run.”

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes F Logan Cooley...

Associated Press

Logan Cooley nabs 1st career hat trick as Coyotes end Predators’ points streak

Logan Cooley had his first NHL hat trick and the Arizona Coyotes snapped the Nashville Predators’ point streak.

4 hours ago

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

2 days ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

2 days ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

4 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

4 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

6 days ago

Coyotes coach Tippett: Few teams have guy like Shane Doan