Leafs hire Shane Doan as special adviser to GM Treliving
The Toronto Maple Leafs are adding Arizona Coyotes great Shane Doan to their front office as a special adviser to general manager Brad Treliving, the team announced Friday.
Doan served as the Coyotes' chief hockey development officer in 2021, but he took a step back from the role in 2022.
"I'm very excited to welcome Shane to the Toronto Maple Leafs," Treliving said in a statement. "Through his more than 1,500 NHL games played, his management roles, being an NHL team captain for more than a decade, and being just a wonderful human being, Shane has touched all the aspects of the game which make him a terrific fit with the Maple Leafs organization, its staff, and players."
Treliving and Doan have a shared history in the desert. Treliving served as the Coyotes' assistant general manager from 2007-14 - overlapping with Doan's playing days - before joining the Calgary Flames as general manager.
As a player, Doan spent his entire 1,540-game career with the Coyotes franchise, putting up 402 goals and 570 assists over 21 seasons before retiring in 2017.
"I am honored to join the Toronto Maple Leafs in this role. The Maple Leafs have a such deep history and a passionate fan base, and I'm excited to contribute in any way I can in the organization's pursuit of their ultimate goal," Doan said. "I'm also thrilled to once again work alongside Brad Treliving and continue a working relationship that began during Brad's time with the Coyotes."
Shortly after hanging up his skates, Doan joined the NHL's hockey operations department.
On the international stage, Doan was general manager for Canada's men's Olympic team at the 2022 Beijing Games and won gold as an assistant general manager at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
Arizona native and star sniper Auston Matthews has previously pointed to Doan as a childhood idol.
My childhood idol growing up. Amazing player and an even better person. Congrats on an unbelievable career Doaner !
— Auston Matthews (@AM34) August 30, 2017
Matthews has one year remaining on his current pact at an $11.64-million cap hit and can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He's eligible to sign a new deal on July 1.
During Treliving's introductory presser last Thursday, the executive said touching base with Matthews was a "priority."
The Maple Leafs parted ways with former general manager Kyle Dubas in May. Former NHLer Jason Spezza held the role as his special assistant, but he tendered his resignation upon Dubas' departure.