Coyotes prospect and ASU forward Josh Doan leans on experience in 2nd development camp
Josh Doan can have a little more fun this year.
The son of former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan faced lofty expectations last summer just from the last name alone. When the Coyotes selected him in the second round of the NHL draft, he knew he had to make a good impression.
"Last year was a little more pressure, and this year, it's just having fun," Doan said on Tuesday during the Coyotes' development camp at the Ice Den in Scottsdale. "It's just another practice at the end of the day. You're here to get better, and when you look at it like that it's not really much pressure to it."
Cementing his father’s legacy and wearing the Coyotes jersey was a big deal to him, but he blazed his own path this past season at Arizona State. Knowing what he’s capable of in a higher level gave him more confidence, especially as he became the top freshman in ASU’s budding history.
Doan surpassed expectations and set school records for most points (37) and assists (25) by a freshman. He was named a finalist for the Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year Award.
“Confidence has been a huge piece for me," Doan said. "Coach (Greg) Powers gave me the opportunity to be successful last year and for me to do what I did, I couldn’t have done it without my teammates last year. Colin Theisen, who is with the Tucson Roadrunners now, Demetrios Koumontzis, Jack Becker, they gave me an opportunity to be where I was last year.”
His season showed the current shift for ASU hockey, a program still on the rise in its eighth season in NCAA Division I. At 37th overall, he became the highest drafted ASU player. Doan will be one of the premier players to skate for the Sun Devils in the first season with a new arena as ASU ushers a new era for its program.
Doan’s plans for his future past this season at ASU aren’t set in stone; he could be eligible to join the Coyotes organization.
“There’s no way I could tell where I’ll be next year. I’ve been trying to pace myself and see where I end up," Doan said. "I think hopefully next year, halfway through the year, I’ll sit down with my family and talk with the Coyotes and see where I’m at physically and mentally. It’s both their choice and my choice. There’s so many routes you can take and at the end of the day, what ASU is doing right now, it’s not the worst option to develop there and I think I’m taking it day-by-day.”
Doan used his slight advantage in experience to help the new faces to the camp, like Logan Cooley. The Coyotes' third overall selection in the 2022 draft is currently rooming with Doan and credited him as a welcoming presence to Arizona. The two will see each other again on Nov. 25-26, when ASU meets Minnesota, where Cooley is committed to play this season.
"I think that's definitely circled on the calendar," Doan said. "I've got him, and (Maple Leafs prospect and Phoenix native) Matthew Knies, my buddy from here. We're excited for that game, and I think we're ready to show that we're a team that can compete with those kinds of teams, so it should be a fun weekend."
In a twist of fate, Doan could potentially play in the same rink he played in at college for the Coyotes. This season, he’ll enjoy the NHL games there as a spectator with its proximity to campus.
“You’re getting the best experience you can as a fan to watch hockey. You’re seeing (Clayton) Keller from 20-feet away, you won’t be getting that experience,” Doan said. “From the ASU side, everything is getting upgraded for us and it’s at the top of the line.”
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Coyotes prospect Josh Doan geared for another big year at Arizona State
