:format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/leafs/2023/06/08/shane-doan-joining-leafs-gm-brad-treliving-as-special-assistant/doanlast.jpg)
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/columnist_logos/McGran_Kevin_logo2015.JPG){kind=logo}
BUFFALO, N.Y.—Shane Doan will be leaving the Arizona Coyotes, the only NHL franchise he has been with since entering the league in 1995, to join the Maple Leafs as a special assistant to GM Brad Treliving.
The Star confirmed the news first mentioned by Nick Kypreos in his weekly column last week and broken online by Kevin Weekes on Thursday after it was finalized. Word spread quickly at the NHL Combine in Buffalo, with many shocked Doan would leave Arizona.
“Brad Treliving can be persuasive,” said one team executive.
“Treliving and Doan are tight,” said another.
Doan was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, seventh overall, in the 1995 draft. He was the last active player to have played for the original Jets. He retired after the 2017 season as the franchise leader in games played (1,540), goals (402), assists (570) and points (972).
Doan, who had been the Coyotes’ chief development officer, comes to the Leafs in the same capacity Jason Spezza held in relation to Kyle Dubas last year, as special assistant to the GM. Spezza stepped down the same day the Leafs announced they were parting ways with Dubas.
Doan has served as general manager of Canada's national team at the world championship and Olympics. Both Doan and Treliving are big backers of Hockey Canada. Doan also has a long-standing relationship with Leafs Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies due to their ties to the Phoenix area. Doan helped coach Knies as a youngster.