Shane Doan was named the third captain of the Phoenix Coyotes in September of 2003.
He took over the leadership role just as the team was rebranding from the kachina era to a brick red and white motif, as well as just prior to the team’s pending relocation from downtown Phoenix to a new arena in Glendale in December.
Doan rose to the opportunity given by general manager Mike Barnett and head coach Bob Francis, producing his best season to that point with a career high in goals (27) and points (68).
Unfortunately, the team success didn’t follow. The captain led the next closest scorers on the team (Ladislav Nagy and Daymond Langkow with 52 points each) by 16 points and those were the only three Coyotes to break 50 points on the season.
The Phoenix Coyotes wore their Red Set 1 game worn jerseys from October 10th, 2003 through at least the final home game at America West Arena on December 15th, 2003.
Shane Doan wore this sweater during his debut as captain on October 10th, 2003 at America West Arena. The Coyotes edged the Blues 2-1 and Doan had an assist on the night.
Doan’s jersey has a mild amount of wear with quite a few stick and/or puck marks throughout the sleeves and body. There appear to be no repairs but there are board burns and a few small burn holes.
On the right sleeve below the elbow we can see board burns, a 1-2” long unrepaired tear, and some stick and/or puck marks in the white bands around the elbow. Above the white bands there are several sequential stick marks in a slash going outward from the sleeve numbers.
Inside the right armpit are more stick marks and the front crest is absolutely littered with stick/puck marks on the bottom. There is a small unrepaired hole near the seam that runs parallel with the collarbone. On the right breast is the captain’s “C” sewn in single-layer white twill. The white bands that encircle the waist of the jersey are filled with numerous stick and puck marks of various sizes.
On the left sleeve there are more stick/puck marks in the white banding and board burns visible below the elbow.
The backside of the jersey is mostly clean beyond wash wear in the numbers and a few stick/puck marks in the white banding around the waist. This jersey has the team’s tagging in the back hem and came with a Detroit Hockey Company/Phoenix Coyotes LOA.
It was acquired from hobby legend Milton Byron of Byron’s Hockeyland via his friend Tom Nathan’s collection. Rest in peace Mr. Nathan.
