Andrea Doan to Lead Committee Exploring Return of NHL Hockey to Phoenix
PHOENIX, AZ - Andrea Doan, wife of former NHL star Shane Doan, has been appointed chair of a newly formed exploratory committee tasked with bringing a National Hockey League franchise back to Maricopa County, Arizona. The announcement comes after Board of Supervisors chair Tom Galvin publicly expressed his desire for such a committee in early January.
The committee’s formation marks a renewed effort to secure a permanent NHL presence in Phoenix, a market the league has long sought to cultivate. While the city previously housed the Arizona Coyotes, ownership issues led to the team’s intellectual property being dissolved in mid-july 2023 and reverting to NHL control.
The Doan family is deeply ingrained in Arizona hockey history, often referred to as the “royal family” of the sport in the region. Though shane Doan currently serves as a special assistant to the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, preventing his formal involvement, Andrea will spearhead the family’s efforts.
“Whatever Shane and I do we are always doing together anyway, but his commitment right now is to Toronto,” Andrea Doan stated. “So is mine, but this is sort of a separate entity; just working with the NHL and trying to bring the association back to Phoenix were it belongs and where it can thrive and succeed.”
The committee faces significant challenges, including identifying a committed ownership group and securing suitable land for a potential arena. Mat ishbia, majority owner of the Phoenix Suns and phoenix Mercury, has publicly expressed interest in bringing hockey back to the desert.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated the league will evaluate all potential expansion opportunities fairly, with competing bids emerging from Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia. Though, Bettman’s past actions suggest a continued interest in establishing a successful franchise in Phoenix.
despite the hurdles, the committee believes the Doan family’s strong community ties will be instrumental in generating public support and persuading the NHL to consider another opportunity for hockey in Arizona.