The thought of seeing Shane Doan with a different organization other than the Arizona Coyotes seemed impossible. But Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was persuasive in his pursuit of the former NHL player of 21 seasons and that was the biggest factor in Doan's decision to leave his position as chief hockey development officer and head north to become a special advisor to the general manager.
"I think you have to go where people are going to improve you and I think Tree is one of the best managers there is around," Doan said in a Zoom availability with the media on Friday afternoon. "Getting an opportunity to work with him was huge."
Treliving had spent 11 years with the Coyotes organization and developed a pretty close relationship with Doan, who had previously rebuffed opportunities to leave the club, whether it be for Stanley Cup aspirations or a change of scenery from a club that had many years of financial instability.
When Treliving was named GM of the Maple Leafs on May 31, he mentioned among many reasons that "It's the Leafs" and that was echoed by Doan.
"I don't care if you love the Leafs or hate the Leafs, which a lot of people do, you can't ignore the fact that it is where hockey is so huge," Doan said. "The ability to be there and everything they've created and everything they've done as an organization to create the Leafs is special."
The last factor comes down to advancement. Doan joined the front office shortly after his playing career, but according to the Craig Morgan of PHNXSports.com, his role was largely "ceremonial". Doan was an assistant GM with the Team Canada group that won gold at the 2021 IIHF World Hockey Championship. he was also the GM for Canada at the 2022 Olympics and 2022 IIHF Worlds.
With nowhere to go with the Coyotes, it made sense for Doan to look to advance his career.
"There comes a time where you have to do stuff that makes you grow and you have to stretch yourself," Doan said.
Doan plans to get a place in Toronto and split his time between the city and his home in Arizona. His close relationship with Arizona natives Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies could be an asset, particularly for Matthews who is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Maple Leafs as soon as July 1.
"Everyone as a Leafs fan understands that. He has that right as a player to kind of go through that, Doan said of Matthews' situation. "Whether or not I’ll be involved in helping Brad (I don't now). If I can help in that area, I’ll help. But at the same time, that’ll be his decision and I’m excited for the opportunity to work with him for the next little bit.
Matthews referred to Doan as one of his hockey idols growing up. Doan feels the same way about Toronto's top star. Doan has known the Knies' family for many years.
Knies visited Doan on Thursday to give him a ceremonial 23 Maple Leafs jersey, the same number Knies wears. In this case, to represent the year Doan joined Maple Leafs.
Related
Report: Maple Leafs' Luke Schenn Seeking Term and Trade Protection in Extension Talks
Report: Maple Leafs Adding Shane Doan as Assistant to General Manager Brad Treliving
Ryan O'Reilly Laments on Lack of Playoff Success With Maple Leafs, Will he Re-Sign?
More must-reads: