Coming off a stellar freshman marketing campaign, ASU sophomore ahead Josh Doan seems to steer the Sun Devils to a a hit 2022-23 season. (Photo through Nikki Pica/Cronkite News)
TEMPE – Since Josh Doan stepped foot at ASU, good fortune has adopted him.
As a freshman at the males’s ice hockey workforce, Doan set two ASU single-season rookie data with 25 assists and 37 issues in 35 video games. The 20-year-old used to be invited to the 2022 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation camp this previous summer time. Oh, and he were given drafted through his homeland Arizona Coyotes in the second one spherical in 2021.
None of those accomplishments eclipse the dignity given to him this summer time, when he used to be named workforce captain at the side of graduate ahead Demetrios Koumontzis and senior defenseman Jacob Semik’s variety as trade captains.
Entering his sophomore yr, Doan is poised to steer the workforce and can modestly lean on his trade captains for reinforce all through the common season, which opened this weekend in opposition to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
“I was obviously honored and excited (to be named team captain),” Doan mentioned. “The two guys I got with me here are unbelievable leaders and make everything way easier. They kind of told us we’re going to be the leadership group from the beginning. So it’s kind of been us three the whole time. And so that’s how we’re going to take it, and when you look at it like that it’s way easier.”
Shane Doan, Josh’s dad, served because the Arizona Coyotes’ captain for his ultimate 13 seasons and retired because the NHL’s longest-tenured captain. Josh discovered from gazing his father lead the Coyotes and is aware of the place to hunt recommendation if he has any questions.
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“Yeah, he’s been awesome and everything for me,” Doan mentioned. “I think it’s the same as usual. If I ever have a question, I go to him and ask him. But at the same time, he’s always kind of been there for me to just kind of guide me along, and if I need something he comes out and tells me. But he’s never gonna go out of his way to kind of tell me and make me do things that he wanted to do.”
Wearing the “C” on his chest with a yr of faculty hockey below his belt, Doan will glance to take his recreation (and workforce) to new heights this yr. One participant who will have to lend a hand is ASU’s latest switch, Robert Mastrosimone.
Mastrosimone, a senior centerman, joined ASU after 3 seasons at Boston University and mentioned he seems ahead to construction chemistry with Doan on his proper wing.
“Josh has been an amazing captain,” Mastrosimone mentioned. “He’s my roommate, and I’m with him every day pretty much. For me as a transfer, he’s been so accepting and he’s really taken me in under his wing and showed me the ropes at ASU. Like I said, he’s been a really good leader on the ice and off. And he just carries himself so well, just somebody you look up to.”
Mastrosimone transferred to ASU hoping for a “new start” and to rejuvenate his offensive recreation. In his junior yr at BU, he completed with 25 issues in 34 video games. Playing with an elite purpose scorer in Doan, Mastrosimone will have to glance to extend his lend a hand general from remaining season (14).
“This was the place that fit me the best, and my teammates have been unbelievable since I’ve gotten here,” Mastrosimone mentioned. “We’ve really taken a lot of steps since I got here in May.”
ASU trainer Greg Powers sees Doan’s evolution and the way he has progressed his recreation. Powers believes Doan has “physically matured” and his self assurance has allowed him to play heavier on his stick.
“If you looked at him just even physically between this time last year and right now, it’s night and day. He’s much bigger, much stronger, much more mature,” Powers mentioned. “He was always a mature kid, but he’s a big strong young man now. He’s not a kid anymore.”
ASU is coming off a disappointing opening weekend, shedding either one of its video games to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Nevertheless, Powers expects Doan to have a large season and to steer the workforce in all eventualities.
“He doesn’t lose very many puck battles, so his well-rounded game has really been cool to see develop,” Powers mentioned.