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Ranking The Captains Of The Arizona Coyotes

By Adam Pierce

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Howlin’ Hockey ranks the three captains of the Arizona Coyotes through the years. (*Writer’s Note: the bolded stats underneath the player’s picture are from their time as a Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes team captain, not career or team stats).

Being named captain of any professional sports organization is an honor that most athletes strive for, but not necessarily obtain during their careers.

A captain in the world of hockey is an individual who has the ability to lead their team to greatness through their on-ice abilities, knowledge of the sport, and understanding of each individual who steps foot on the ice. The captain becomes the face of the franchise and the leader that everyone relies on through the ups and downs of each season.

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In the case of the Arizona Coyotes, only three players have worn the “C” on either their Kachina style or Sedona red sweaters in the 19 year history of the franchise. These three players have assumed the role of “team leader” and have made this team their own. Each player brought a superstar mentality to this program and propelled it to moments of greatness.

3. Teppo Numminen (2001-2003)

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*Games Played: 154   Goals: 19   Assists: 59   Penalty Minutes: 50

Teppo Numminen is the least familiar name on our list as he only served as captain for two seasons. Teppo was the second captain in franchise history and was with the Phoenix Coyotes for seven seasons before being traded to the Dallas Stars in 2003. In his brief tenure as captain, the Phoenix Coyotes made the playoffs once under his leadership in 2001 and they ended up being swept in the first round.

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    • Numminen will go down as one of the best defenseman in Coyotes history with Oliver Ekman-Larsson potentially nipping at his heels for that title. In 551 total games played with the Coyotes, number 27 finished with a franchise leading +/- of +68.

    Numminen also tallied 269 total points with the Coyotes which places him sixth in franchise history. He is third in Coyotes games played with 551; behind Keith Yandle (558) and Shane Doan (1,320).

    #27 retired from the NHL in 2009 at the age of forty-one with the Buffalo Sabres. In his 1,372 game career, he never won a Stanley Cup. Numminen is regarded as one of the best Finnish defenseman to ever play the game and graced his presence with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and Buffalo Sabres.

    Teppo Numminen had his number retired and was inducted to the Coyotes Ring of Honor in 2010, solidifying his position in Coyotes history as one of the all time greats in Arizona.

    Next: Arizona Coyotes Throwback: Getting To Know Teppo Numminen

    2. Keith Tkachuk (1996-2001)

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    *Games Played: 332   Goals: 179   Assists: 155   Penalty Minutes: 716

    When you hear the name Keith Tkachuk you think of a hard hitting, physical goal scorer. Tkachuk was the very first player to put on a Coyotes sweater with a stitched “C” on the front. Tkachuk was captain of the Coyotes for a majority of the “Kachina era” with five seasons of leadership under his belt.

    In those five years he led his team to the playoffs four times, but unfortunately never made it past the first round of the postseason. In 2001, Keith Tkachuk was involved in a trade with the St. Louis Blues that brought Ladislav Nagy, Michal Handzuš, Jeff Taffe and a first-round draft pick to the desert, in exchange for the captain.

    Tkachuk was a strong and intimidating left-wing who enjoyed lighting up the stat sheet. He ranks third in total Coyotes points with 334 (179 goals and 155 assists) in 332 games played. Keith also ranks second all time in goals (179), penalty minutes (716), and powerplay goals (51) behind current Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan.

    Tkachuk (just like Numminen) was inducted into the Ring of Honor and has the luxury of his #7 being retired within the organization. Tkachuk is known as one of the greatest U.S. born players to step foot on the ice, and his induction in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame solidifies that statement. Retiring in 2010 with the St. Louis Blues, Keith Tkachuk finished an incredible 1,201 game NHL career with 1,065 points.

    Tkachuk is also one of two Coyotes to ever be placed on the cover of a sports video game with his presence on NHL Breakaway 98. Mikkel Boedker is the only other Coyote with an NHL 10 appearance in Denmark and Norway.

    Next: Arizona Coyotes Throwback: Getting To Know Keith Tkachuk

    1. Shane Doan (2003-Present)

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    *Games Played: 825   Goals: 253   Assists: 362   Penalty Minutes: 666

    Our number one spot is reserved for the one and only Shane Doan. “Captain Coyote” is not only the greatest captain in franchise history, but also one of the top leaders in the entire NHL. His skills and knowledge are unlike anything the team has seen, as he continually puts his team in a position to win.

    Doan’s leadership styles benefit his teammates whenever he laces up his skates. Shane Doan is currently the longest tenured captain in the National Hockey League with the “C” on his chest since 2003.

    Shane Doan has been with the team since its’ humble beginnings. #19 has lead the team to three postseasons, including the historic playoff run in 2012. Doan leads the Coyotes franchise in nearly every statistical category, due to his long-standing presence with the team.

    He leads the team in games played (1,320); goals (361); assists (520); points (881); penalty minutes (1,106); power play goals (112); and game winning goals (62). He is currently second on the all time list in shorthanded goals with 6.

    Shane Doan will definitely be inducted into the Ring of Honor, along with his predecessor captains once his career comes to a close. At age 38, (he will be 39 in October) Shane Doan can be physical with the other players, and changes the momentum on the ice with each shift.

    While he is not putting up the numbers like he used to, he has a huge impact on his team’s success. Doan is looking to finish off his career strong, as he is working hard to complete the overall goal of a Stanley Cup championship with the Arizona Coyotes.

    CLICK HERE TO SEE THE POST ON SHANE DOAN’S 19 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SINCE HIS FIRST NHL GOAL

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