| Josh Doan | Chicago Steel | USHL | R | F | 6’2″ | 176 | Arizona State | 2021 | Scottsdale, AZ | 2002 | College F/A |
USHL: Chicago Steel vs NTDP U17, February 24, 2021: Doan skated well and competed hard in this game, registering a goal and an assist in his efforts. The Arizona State commit is highly effective in the offensive zone, using his vision and instincts to create scoring chances. On his goal, he made a great move in tight on top of the crease, making the goalie open up before sliding the puck five-hole. He followed that up with a power-play assist on Chicago’s next goal, where he consistently found seams through the middle of the ice. Around the net Doan does a good job of fighting for space and then popping into soft areas to catch passes and get quick shots off. Overall, he is a dangerous offensive player who has great vision and instincts around the net. Grade: A
USHL: Chicago Steel vs Green Bay Gamblers, February 10, 2021:Doan played well for the Steel, doing his best work in front of Green Bay’s net in this game. He has a high compete level and won a number of battles in the offensive zone, helping his team maintain their attack. In front of the net, he is hard to move and does a good job of redirecting shots from the point. The Arizona State commit has a quick release on his wrist shot, which he displayed from his position on the powerplay. Doan also showed good vision in the offensive zone, having the patience to draw defenders to him before distributing the puck. Overall, he is a hard-working forward who does his best work at the front of the net. Grade: B+
USHL: Youngstown Phantoms vs Chicago Steel, January 27, 2021: Doan contributed to every one of Chicago’s goals in this game registering a hat-trick and one assist. The Arizona State commit has great scoring instincts and an extremely quick release, which he uses to get pucks on net in tight areas. He registered three shots in the game and scored a goal on each, displaying his accuracy and deception in his release. When he elects to shoot the puck Doan picks his corner and snaps his wrist quickly to send the puck where he wants it to go. He also has excellent instincts and reads the play to put himself in a position to score. His goals come as a result of his shot but also because he was in the ideal spot when the puck reached his stick. Doan is a goal scorer and made no mistakes with the opportunities he got in this game, including the overtime game winner. Grade: A
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, December 2020: Josh is a strong kid who keeps getting better and better. For years we’ve noted his high hockey IQ and compete, but right now he’s really starting to grow into himself. His years of being an undersized player who thought he was a power forward are starting to really pay off. He’s currently listed at 6’2″ 176, but it’s only a matter of time until he’s 6’2″ 196 and he’s an immovable object in front. I have no doubt that smart NHL teams will be watching him closely because he’s going to be a great combination of brains and brawn in a few years.
USHL: Chicago Steel vs Youngstown Phantoms, December 16, 2020: Doan is a hard working, skilled forward for the Steel that did his best work in front of the net in the offensive zone and in tight areas. Doan has a really solid compete level that he brings into any puck battle or race. In front of the net in the offensive zone, Doan works hard for rebounds, whacking at pucks and never quitting on second chance opportunities. On the powerplay Doan is a presence in the crease area and makes life very challenging for the opposing team’s goalie and defensemen. On the Steel’s second goal, Doan positioned himself well in front on the powerplay and jumped on a loose puck sliding through the slot area. Once the puck found his stick, Doan buried it hard into the back of the net, making no mistake. He also shows good skill during extended offensive zone time, protecting the puck well and using cutbacks to create space and find his teammates. Overall, Doan is a hard working forward that competes well and has good skill to go with that compete level. Grade: B+
USHL: Chicago Steel NHL Prospects, October 2019: (1) Brain – As the son of an NHL player, Josh does a lot of the little things well. He is an up & down winger who keeps it simple. On breakouts or transition he is very aware of the grey areas. We didn’t see him have many turnovers trying to be too cute. He just plays big boy hockey. Offensively he plays in straight lines , drives the net with a purpose & chips the puck to areas where he or his line mates can retrieve it. We know this sounds boring, but at the higher levels this can earn you a pay check. (2) Vision & Poise – Again, he kept it simple in Pittsburgh. We’ve seen Josh play in other settings / showcases where showed the ability to make plays, but in his early adjustment to the USHL he kept it simple. (3) Feet – Josh has a nice stride and good straight line speed. We feel that although he is not a player who would be described as “quick”, he does have excellent anticipation which allows him to make plays all over the ice. (4) Compete & Effort – Maximum effort player. (5) Contact or Physicality – He is strong on the puck and has the ability to initiate contact while rolling out of the corner or mid-wall on a cycle. We noted his willingness to take hits to make plays, especially on the breakout. (6) Release – We feel Josh has a hard shot, but needs to work on being less predictable. At lower levels he was able to get away with shooting while his hands and / or feet were still, but to be a consistent threat at higher levels Josh will have to work on shooting while his feet are moving. (7) One Timer Ability – We did not see any. (8) Body Language – (Only Note Extremes) (9) Special Teams Potential – Josh’s anticipation make him a potential penalty killer at higher levels, but he will need to work on his quickness to be used consistently in such a role. In the pros, Josh is best suited to be a net front presence on the power play. His willingness to initiate contact and battle for his ice could be a major asset after a few years of college strength training. (10) Intangibles – Josh’s extended family has hockey players all over the family tree. We would imagine he’s been involved in some pretty serious and in depth hockey conversations… you really can’t put a price on that. To add another twist, Josh is committed to Arizona State so not only will his Father be close by, but he will also have former NHLer and current ASU Assistant Coach Alex Hicks as a resource.
U16 USA Hockey Nationals, May 2019: Son of longtime NHLer and coach Shane Doan, Josh is a smooth operator. He has soft hands, poise under duress and always seemed to have a plan for what he was going to do with the puck. He’s a fluid skater, light on his feet and able to move quickly in every direction. He surveys the ice, has excellent vision and a quick stick which he can make people miss in small areas and get shots off his blade before the goalie has time to react. He wears the “C” for the Coyotes, showed hustle at both ends of the ice and was always under control with the puck on his stick. A puck possession style forward who thinks the game, makes play all over the ice and makes it look effortless. He’s been drafted in both the WHL and USHL but it’s not until recently that he’s taken his game to another level. He needs to get stronger and play a more detailed defensive game but the skill and the sense are there to be a playmaker at the next level. He produced a goal and 4 assists on the week.
T1EHL U16 Showcase, September 2018: Josh has a really nice shot and good offensive instincts. He isn’t overly flashy but he is very effective and generates a lot of offensive chances for himself and teammates. Plays hard in all three zones and. Very smart and largely mistake-free. He can be plugged in anywhere and succeed. Grade: B
U15 Nationals, April 2018: Josh is a very smart player, who reads the ice very well. He sets his teammates up and he has the ability to get open for scoring opportunities. He showed great touch on his shot using a quick release. He is a smaller player who will eventually get stronger and improve his skating.
Tier 1 Elite Playoffs U16s, March 2018: The son of former NHL star Shane Doan, Josh showed an understanding for the game as he thought his way around the rink. Soft hands and vision made him effective with his puck touches. He seemed to understand spacing and positioning very well. He can still get stronger and faster to round out his game, but there is upside with his hockey sense.
U14 USA Tier 1 Nationals, April 2017: Josh is a smart player with good vision and the hands to make plays. He anticipated the play beyond the play well. He looked like more a facilitator at this point but as he grows and gets stronger, he should be able to get more pucks to the net. We liked his effort.
Tier 1 U14 Showcase, December 2016: Josh has good speed and good hands