TEMPE — The long-awaited National Hockey League debut of Sun Devil Hockey alum and team captain Josh Doan was nothing short of a fairy tale.
The Arizona born and raised skater made his NHL debut on Tuesday night for the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena – the barn that he scored the very first goal in while playing for the Sun Devils in 2022. The son of Coyotes legend and all-time goal leader Shane Doan, the younger Doan scored two-goals in his debut, including the game-winner over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
• Born in Arizona
• Played for @SunDevilHockey
• Played for @RoadrunnersAHL
• Plays for @ArizonaCoyotesJosh Doan is the definition of homegrown talent and a big deal for hockey in Arizona! @JamieHersch | @Rupper17 | #Yotes | #NHLNow pic.twitter.com/6oBRA2taVs
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 28, 2024
Doan is the first Arizona native to play for the franchise and the first Coyotes player to score two goals in their debut in organization history. Doan got the call up Monday from Tucson of the AHL after leading the Roadrunners with 26 goals and 20 assists in 62 games.
The Arizona native scored an unassisted goal in the second period to put Arizona ahead 2-1, backhanding the puck past Columbus netminder at close range. He scored the winner in the third period, deflecting the puck past Merzlikins right in front of the crease at the 8:29 mark.
How it went down on social media:
His last first game in Mullett was pretty good for us… #ProDevil pic.twitter.com/CLFE5y7VJn
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) March 25, 2024
Dreams come true ?? #ProDevil https://t.co/ehRW0SdMLu
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) March 27, 2024
JOSH DOAN WITH HIS FIRST NHL GOAL! ??
You couldn’t script it any better. pic.twitter.com/yDb3BENpPv
— NHL (@NHL) March 27, 2024
PERFECTLY STORYBOOK ???
The Mullett is rocking for @JTDoaner19‘s first @nhl goal #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/KYIobTmsQ4
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) March 27, 2024
Mullet Magic rides again pic.twitter.com/7ugEIdcjze
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) March 27, 2024
CANT MAKE THIS UP ?? https://t.co/xLTlmaGYQs
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) March 27, 2024
Josh Doan (@JTDoaner19) gets the people GOIN’! ?? https://t.co/NmYOi9tWs5 pic.twitter.com/NIAS1BrXQw
— NHL (@NHL) March 27, 2024
Easiest game ball decision of the year.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Arizona State University Athletics…