Coyotes captain Shane Doan could return Saturday

Jan 3, 2014, 8:13 PM | Updated: 8:13 pm

Arizona Sports

Rejoice, Coyotes Nation: The Captain could return to the ice on Saturday.

In a Friday tweet, the Phoenix Coyotes announced that captain Shane Doan has been cleared by doctors and could play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

Doan was diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in December after feeling ill during the team’s Canadian road trip. He hasn’t played since the Dec. 4 loss against the Calgary Flames.

At the time, Doan was the team’s leading scorer with 12 goals. He also has 11 helpers this season and was averaging 19:05 of ice time per game, often skating on one of the team’s top lines.

The Coyotes went 4-3-5 in Doan’s absence after starting the season 16-8-4.

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Phoenix Coyotes' Sami Lepisto, left, of Finland, and teammate Keith Yandle celebrate a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Columbus Blue Jackets' R.J. Umberger, left, and Phoenix Coyotes' Scottie Upshall fight for a loose puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Columbus Blue Jackets' Mike Commodore, right, checks Phoenix Coyotes' Shane Doan during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Columbus Blue Jackets' Fedor Tyutin, right, of Russia, clears the puck past Phoenix Coyotes' Lauri Korpikoski, of Finland, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Columbus Blue Jackets' Antoine Vermette, right, tries to redirect the puck as Phoenix Coyotes' Jason LaBarbera makes a save during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

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