Doan: Second coming of Captain Canada

QUEBEC — There was no one more qualified to be the Canadian captain at this year’s IIHF World Hockey Championship than Shane Doan.

He proved last year that he can handle intense off-ice pressure while continuing to be a leader on it and will have to again show that resolve over the coming weeks with Canada hosting this event for the first time ever.

Politicians in the House of Commons took issue with Doan’s captaincy last spring after negative comments about Francophones were incorrectly linked to him. None of the allegations against him has ever been proven.

Still, some wondered if he should be the face of the team for an event being held partly in Quebec because of the potential for more controversy.

The overwhelming response from Hockey Canada is yes. Besides, if anything is to happen, there’s no one better than Doan to help guide the team through that sort of adversity.

“He’s our captain — he’s the captain for the players in the room and the coaches that coach the team,” said head coach Ken Hitchcock. “I know he represents Canada and he’s done a great job. He’ll represent us well.

“I think if anything he stood tall last year under trying circumstances and that just shows you his personality and character. I don’t think we could get a better guy to follow.”

Doan is an extremely likable person that teammates naturally gravitate to.

There really shouldn’t have been much suspense about the decision to make him captain, especially after he led last year’s team to a gold medal in Moscow. He’s been the go-to guy on this team since training camp started earlier this week.

“He’s the leader,” said Steve Staios, who will be an alternate captain along with Martin St. Louis. “You can tell he’s got the voice in the room already.”

There has yet to be any sign of the scandal that erupted during last year’s tournament.

Doan was one of the team’s best players in Russia and even scored a hat trick during a game played at the height of the controversy. He has repeatedly expressed his gratitude for all the positive support he received from people all over the country during that time.

He’s been treated well so far in Quebec and isn’t concerned about getting booed during the games Canada will play at Le Colisee Pepsi over the coming weeks.

“I don’t really know what to expect with all that and I’m not really too worried about it,” said Doan. “It’s not true so it’s over and done with.”

His teammates share that view.

“I think that’s done, it’s in the past,” said St. Louis. “(Fans) should support us, support the team instead of dwelling on that stuff. We’re here to win hockey games and we should get all the support we need.”

Canada was to play its first exhibition game against Finland on Saturday night.

Earlier in the day, the team found out that forward Ray Whitney will be unable to attend the tournament because of a lingering ankle injury. There are no plans to replace him because Canada is carrying 25 players already and will only dress 22 for each game.

Each of those guys will be following the example set by Doan, who is starting to build a case to be called the next Captain Canada.

Ryan Smyth earned that nickname while playing in seven straight world championships at a time when many Canadian NHLers were reluctant to be part of the event. He was the captain on five of those teams.

Doan doesn’t think he should be given Smyth’s label.

“No, but I’m going to get teased about it, I know that,” he said. “Smytty has done such a phenomenal job and has won so much with Canada that I don’t think he has too much to worry about.”

This will be Doan’s sixth appearance at the world championship and he’s after his fourth gold medal.

A big thing he and Smyth share is a love for this event and he hopes to pass that on to his teammates.

“I think (my responsibility) is to make it as good of an experience for everyone as possible,” said Doan. “That usually involves winning. I think it’s so important to keep the team close and keep the guys enjoying the fact that they get to represent the country.

“It’s a huge thing for me and one of the reasons I enjoy coming so much.”

Even last year’s scandal didn’t dampen his enthusiasm

Hitchcock met with Doan before he was named captain just to make sure he was ready for the inevitable questions about something he didn’t even say. The coach was more than satisfied with the response.

“We talked it over with him and it’s not a distraction,” said Hitchcock. “I think his focus is on the guys in the room. He’s put up with enough media over his career and I don’t think he has to worry about that stuff right now.

“His focus right now is on the guys in the room and getting everyone ready for the competition.”

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