Josh Doan Bio
Joshua Thomas Doan, known professionally as Josh Doan, is an American professional ice hockey player. He plays as a right winger for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Arizona Coyotes originally selected Doan with the 37th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He is the son of longtime Coyotes franchise scoring leader Shane Doan.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Thomas Doan was born on February 1, 2002, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Growing up in the Phoenix area, he was surrounded by hockey from an early age because of his father’s long NHL career with the Coyotes. He developed his game locally through the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes youth program, one of the principal development pipelines for young players in the state.
Because Arizona has a smaller youth hockey footprint than traditional northern markets, Doan’s early path combined local travel hockey with national exposure events. His family’s deep ties to the Coyotes organization gave him a clear understanding of what a professional hockey career demands, both on and off the ice. Those formative years in the Jr. Coyotes system helped shape his two-way, responsible style of play.
Path to Hockey
The Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL) selected Doan with the 95th overall pick of the 2018 USHL Futures Draft. After one more year with the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, he joined the Steel for the 2019–20 season. In 45 games, he posted 14 points, including five goals and nine assists, tying for 16th on the team in scoring. Despite that production, all 31 NHL teams passed over him in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
On June 21, 2019, Doan announced his commitment to play college hockey at Arizona State University. He began his collegiate career with the Sun Devils in the 2021–22 season, balancing NCAA competition with draft preparation. His development at ASU, combined with a strong second USHL stint, set the stage for his NHL breakthrough.
Josh Doan Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Returning to the Chicago Steel for a second season, Doan emerged as one of the top scorers in the USHL. He finished third on the Steel, behind Sean Farrell and Matthew Coronato, and third in the entire league with 70 points, including 31 goals and 39 assists in 53 games. The Steel won the Clark Cup that season, and the NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked the 19-year-old Doan as the 87th-best North American skater heading into the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
On July 24, 2021, the Arizona Coyotes selected Doan in the second round with the 37th overall pick. He then served as captain of the Arizona State Sun Devils during his sophomore year in the 2022–23 season. After that campaign, Doan signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Coyotes on March 16, 2023, and was immediately assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners.
AHL Development and NHL Debut (2023–2024)
Doan began the 2023–24 season with the Tucson Roadrunners and quickly became the team’s most dangerous offensive player. He led the Roadrunners in goals with 26 and in points with 46 before earning a recall to the Coyotes on March 25, 2024. The following night, he made his NHL debut and scored two goals, including the game-winning goal, in a 6–2 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
That performance made Doan the first player in Coyotes franchise history to score multiple goals in his NHL debut. The moment carried extra weight given his father’s long history with the organization. It also marked the arrival of a young winger capable of producing at the top level.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2025–Present)
Following the 2024–25 season, the Coyotes franchise rebranded as the Utah Mammoth. On June 25, 2025, Utah traded Doan, along with defenseman Michael Kesselring, to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for JJ Peterka. The move gave Doan a fresh start with a young Sabres team looking to build around emerging offensive talent.
In his first season with Buffalo, Doan is expected to slot into a top-nine forward role and contribute on the power play. His blend of speed, shot, and two-way responsibility fits the Sabres’ long-term vision. The trade also represents a homecoming of sorts to a more traditional hockey market after years in the Arizona and Utah systems.
Driving Style and Strengths
Doan plays a mature, 200-foot game uncommon for a young winger. He is willing to drive the net, win battles along the boards, and support defensively without the puck. His skating and straight-line speed allow him to stretch opposing defenses, while his shot makes him a threat from the circles and the slot.
Notable Events and Milestones
Doan’s most memorable early moment came on March 26, 2024, when he scored twice in his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets and became the first player in Coyotes franchise history to record a multi-goal debut. He later represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, recording one goal in nine games and helping Team USA win its first gold medal since 1933.
Josh Doan Career Wins
While individual goal totals continue to grow, Doan’s most celebrated team accomplishment to date is the 2025 IIHF World Championship gold medal with Team USA. He also contributed to the Chicago Steel’s Clark Cup championship during the 2020–21 USHL season.
International Highlights
Doan represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. He recorded one goal in nine games during the tournament and helped Team USA capture its first gold medal at the event since 1933. The performance underlined his growing role within the U.S. national team setup.
Other Wins and Performances
During his second season with the Chicago Steel, Doan was a key contributor to the team’s Clark Cup championship. He also served as captain of the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2022–23, finishing his collegiate career before turning professional with the Coyotes organization.
Josh Doan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Doan family. His father, Shane Doan, played his entire 21-year NHL career with the Coyotes franchise and previously served as the team’s chief hockey development officer. That connection gave Joshua Thomas Doan an insider’s view of professional hockey from childhood.
Personal Life
Joshua Thomas Doan was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he continues to spend much of his offseason. He maintains an active presence on social media and is represented by the same broader Coyotes alumni network that shaped his early development.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a defining chapter in Joshua Thomas Doan’s young career. He joined the Buffalo Sabres after the June 25, 2025 trade that sent him and Michael Kesselring to Buffalo in exchange for JJ Peterka. The move positioned Doan on a young, offensively gifted Sabres roster aiming to end a long playoff drought.
Early in the season, Doan has been deployed in a middle-six forward role with power-play responsibility. His two-way game and willingness to drive play have earned the trust of the coaching staff, while his familiarity with a fast, skill-driven system should accelerate his production.
Looking ahead, Doan’s combination of NHL experience, AHL scoring success, and a recent IIHF World Championship gold medal gives Buffalo a building block for the next several seasons. If he continues to develop his shot volume and playmaking, he has the potential to emerge as a core piece of the Sabres’ forward group for years to come.