Doan announces retirement from NHL

Former Arizona Coyotes forward Shane Doan announced his retirement Wednesday.

Doan, 40, had been an unrestricted free agent. The Coyotes had informed Doan on June 17 that they would not be re-signing him.

Selected by the Winnipeg Jets with the No. 7 pick of the 1995 NHL Draft, Doan had spent his entire 21-season NHL career with the Jets/Coyotes franchise, which moved to Arizona from Winnipeg in 1996.

Doan made the announcement in a letter to fans published in The Arizona Republic.

"I could not fathom at the time that I would end up playing in Arizona for the next 21 years, raise a family and call this place home," Doan wrote while reminiscing about his first game in Phoenix, which came at the start of his second NHL season. "But that's exactly what happened. And that's why this has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I'm retiring from the NHL."

Doan had 27 points (six goals, 27 assists) in 74 games last season, which also was his 13th as Coyotes captain.

In 1,540 NHL games, he had 972 points (402 goals, 570 assists). He's the Jets/Coyotes leader in all four categories.

He's also one of nine players in NHL history to have played at least 21 seasons with the same franchise; three played more games with one organization than Doan did (Gordie Howe, 1,687, Detroit Red Wings; Nicklas Lidstrom, 1,584, Red Wings; Alex Delvecchio, 1,549, Red Wings). He's tied for 14th for most games played in NHL history.

The Coyotes released a statement congratulating Doan on his career: "On behalf of the entire Arizona Coyotes organization, our fans and our corporate partners, we would like to thank Shane for everything that he's done for our franchise over the past 21 years. Shane had an incredible career on the ice and we are very proud of everything that he accomplished in a Coyotes uniform. He will be remembered as one of the greatest captains in NHL history. Off the ice, Shane was a great ambassador for growing the game of hockey in Arizona and his contributions to the community are immeasurable. Shane will be a Coyote for life. Thank you Captain!"

Doan played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2004 and 2009, and in 2010 he won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the player who exemplifies leadership on and off the ice and has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was a Coyotes fan prior to being the No. 1 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft and last season's Calder Trophy winner.

"My childhood idol growing up," Matthews posted on his Twitter account. "Amazing player and an even better person. Congrats on an unbelievable career Doaner!"

My childhood idol growing up. Amazing player and an even better person. Congrats on an unbelievable career Doaner !

— Auston Matthews (@AM34) August 30, 2017

"I have peace, and I'm so thankful for that," Doan wrote. "I've been blessed and I'm so grateful for the fans and their support. They stuck by me throughout my career and the ups and downs of the Coyotes. There are a lot of players with more skill than me and a lot more ability than me that didn't ever get the type of appreciation that I got and the type of respect that the fans gave me, and I'm so grateful for that. I can't express how much I appreciate it. Thank you for watching me grow up, and I enjoyed watching a lot of you grow up, too.

"I also want say thanks to the Coyotes, who provided me the opportunity to stay in the Valley for 21 years. That's one of the most meaningful accomplishments of my career, and I'll forever cherish the friendships I've made along the way."

Prospect Report: Shesterkin, Lycksell, Andersson, Chytil

With Friday's shutout, New York Rangers goaltending prospect Igor Shesterkin became the youngest goalie to earn 10 career shutouts with SKA St. Petersburg.

Shesterkin has earned 11 career KHL SO (10 with SKA, 1 with Spartak) in 62 reg. season appearances, and 10 SO in 53 reg. season appearances with SKA.

The shutout yesterday was Shesterkin's first of the season in his first KHL regular season appearance of 2017-18. SKA defeated Jokerit, 2-0, in the game.

Shesterkin stopped all 27 shots he faced in the contest, including all 20 shots he faced in the second period.

In his last 40 KHL regular season appearances, Shesterkin has posted a 32-4-1 record, along with a 1.60 GAA, a .939 SV%, and 9 SO.

LYCKSELL HAS ROUGH TIME AT FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT

Flyers prospect Olle Lycksell was held pointless in all three games for Sweden U-20 at the Four Nations tournament. Sweden played their final game of the tournament on Saturday vs. Finland.

Lycksell was -3, had 1 SOG, 50% on draw and 2 PIM as Sweden U20 was hammered 6-1 in Saturday's game.

LIAS ANDERSSON IN THE CHL TOURNAMENT

Rangers prospect Lias Andersson won seven of nine faceoffs (77.8%) and recorded three shots on goal to help Frolunda defeat Klagenfurt, 2-1 on Saturday in the Champions Hockey Tournament.

CHYTIL IN THE FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT

Rangers prospect Filip Chytil tallied two assists in the Czech Republic's 6-5 OT loss against Russia in the final game of the U20 Four Nations Tournament on Saturday. Chytil registered three points (one goal, two assists) in three games during the tournament.


The 17-year-old Chytil tied for 2nd among all skaters in assists & tied for 4th among all skaters in points in the tournament.

Predators captain Fisher announces retirement

Nashville Predators captain Mike Fisher announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday.

"This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but I know I've made the right one," the 37-year-old Fisher wrote in a letter published in The Tennessean on Thursday. "I've decided to retire from the NHL."

Fisher, who is married to country music star Carrie Underwood, recorded 18 goals and 24 assists in 72 games last season. He added four assists in 20 postseason contests to guide the Predators to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

"The way the city was behind us was unbelievable, and that's what makes the memory such a high -- but also bittersweet," Fisher wrote. "Can you imagine if we had a parade down Broadway?

"It's moments like that which I know I'll miss. This job I've been able to have for a majority of my life is so much fun. To help create that entertainment and to see the joy we can bring to people is such a unique and exciting opportunity. I'll miss my teammates, my coaches and the game itself."

Fisher was named Nashville's captain after defenseman Shea Weber was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in June 2016.

"He had a big impact when he became captain in Nashville," said Buffalo Sabres coach Phil Housley, formerly an assistant with the Predators. "He was a terrific role model for young guys. He practices the right way. He carries himself the right way and he's a fierce competitor.

"One of the toughest guys to play against in my opinion, game in and game out. I think he's had a terrific career. I am really happy for him. I would be with any decision he made. He's just a terrific person and I can't say enough great things about him and his family and what he's meant for the Nashville organization."

Fisher has collected 276 goals and 309 assists in 1,088 career contests with the Ottawa Senators and Predators. He was selected by the Senators in the second round of the 1998 draft.

The Ontario native represented his native Canada on two occasions, winning the silver at the 2005 and 2009 world hockey championships.

Islanders re-sign D de Haan

The New York Islanders agreed to terms with defenseman Calvin de Haan on a one-year contract Wednesday to avoid salary arbitration.

De Haan's three-year, $5.9 million contract expired July 1, making him a restricted free agent.

De Haan, 26, established career highs in points (25), goals (five) and assists (20), while playing in all 82 games during his fourth full season with the Islanders. He ranked fourth in the NHL in blocked shots (190).

At the completion of the season, de Haan was selected as a member of Team Canada at the 2017 World Championships, winning a silver medal.

"Calvin is a home-grown product of the organization and has developed into one of our top defenseman during his time with the organization," Islanders president and general manager Garth Snow said in a statement. "He plays important minutes for our club and we're excited to have him back for one more years."

The Islanders selected de Haan in the first round (12th overall) of the 2009 NHL draft. In 271 career NHL games, he has 69 points (11 goals, 58 assists). He also has three assists in 16 Stanley Cup playoff games.