Shane Doan earns Masterton nomination
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Shane Doan had all he could handle, coming back from a frightening bout with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The Coyotes' struggles this season only added to the captain's challenge.
"It's tough with the way the season's gone," Doan said Monday of the team's Western Conference-worst 54 points. "No one saw it coming. You might have had inklings of it, but you never thought it was going to be like this, so it's always hard coming to the rink when you're in that situation. But at the same time, you are playing hockey in the NHL and it's been your dream, your whole life. You can't lose sight of that."
Doan's ability to remain a positive influence for a struggling franchise has been well chronicled. But his ability to persevere through this trying season on the heels of his battle with a potentially fatal illness makes him the Arizona chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association's nominee for this season's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The trophy is awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the PWHA's 30 chapters at the end of the regular season. The trophy commemorates the late Bill Masterton, a player with the Minnesota North Stars, who died after sustaining an injury during a game on Jan. 15, 1968.
"The leadership and commitment he puts to this team is phenomenal," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said of Doan. "It's great to have that leadership when everything's going well. His leadership has really become an important factor because of the season we've had and trying to keep things as positive as possible, assimilating new players into our team, which we've had a ton of. All those factors that make him a great captain have been at the forefront (this) season."
Doan first came down with symptoms of the disease while the team was on a western Canadian road trip last season. Among the symptoms were joint aches, headaches, hot and cold flashes and extreme fatigue.
"When it was going on, you appreciate the little things like walking and doing the stuff that you want to do normally," he said.
Doan hasn't had the rebound season he wanted with 13 goals and 33 points in 72 games. He also expressed frustration at the team's decision to unload several veterans at the trade deadline, thereby committing to a rebuild. But his captain's voice returned quickly when assessing the situation.
"I think you always guard against becoming a little cynical," he said. "You've got to watch that it doesn't creep into your mindset and the way you are.
"You want to stay positive and encourage people, but there is nothing fun about what we're going through. You don't make light of it, but you still enjoy the game because it's a great game. I love hockey. I love it no matter what. So you enjoy that side of it."
Forward Mikkel Boedker skated on Monday for about 15 minutes. It's the first time since he underwent an emergency splenectomy following a game on Jan. 18 in Winnipeg.
"Good to see him out there," Tippett said. "I think that's one thing that will keep his sanity."
Boedker will not return this season and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. GM Don Maloney has had discussions with Boedker's agent about a new deal.
Forward Lauri Korpikoski rode a bike on Monday, and there is hope that he could return to the lineup this weekend when the team plays a home-and-home series with San Jose on Friday and Saturday.
Korpikoski suffered three cuts after taking a high-stick to the mouth from Detroit's Marek Zidlicky in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win over the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. He has missed the last three games.
"Speaking from personal experience, I didn't mind getting cut around my eyes or cheeks or anything, but in the mouth it always bothered me because it affects you every day," Tippett said before assessing Korpikoski's chances of returning this weekend. "It will be a week out. Hopefully they'll be healed. He's eating some solid food again."
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