A win for Michael Doan
On a night that honoured their fallen former goalie, the Soo Thunderbirds came through in heavenly fashion for the late Michael Doan.
Following an emotional 20-minute, pre-game ceremony during which the Thunderbirds officially retired the no. 33 that Doan wore for them several seasons ago, the first place team in the West Division of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League went out and upended the visiting Soo Eagles 3-1.
Initiated and spearheaded by Thunderbirds associate coach Toots Kovacs, the heart-felt tribute was attended by multiple members of Doan’s family and an assembly of friends and acquaintances, many of who made the trip to Sault Ste. Marie from out of town.
Doan’s sweetheart of a mother, Nancy (Theriault) Doan delivered a stirring, soft-touch speech that had many who were in attendance on Saturday night at John Rhodes Community Centre choked up and in tears.
And the young man’s father, Mike Doan Sr., gave a passionate, ad lib of a speech that capped the ceremony in a manner that tugged at the heart strings of those who knew and loved his son.
As part of a spectacular two-year NOJHL career, Doan played one full season for both the Eagles (2009-2010) and the Thunderbirds (2010-2011.)
Ironically, Doan’s last NOJHL game came during the 2011 playoffs when his Thunderbirds were eliminated by the Michigan-based Eagles in Game 6 of a thrilling, hotly-contested, best-of-seven series. Doan and Jake Paterson of the Eagles were goal-tending standouts in that memorable Twin Soo series of 2011.
Doan then went on to play the 2011-2012 season in both the British Columbia Hockey League and the Ontario Jr. Hockey League before heading to tend goal for the Northern Michigan University Wildcats of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association. He played three seasons at NMU before finishing up his collegiate career with the Windsor Lancers of Ontario University Athletics in 2015-2016.
A popular, good-looking young man with an upbeat personality and infectious smile, the Sault Ste. Marie native passed away following a single vehicle accident in mid July of this year. Doan had been attending a friend’s wedding in Minnesota the night before the accident.
After debuting in the Southern Professional Hockey League in 2016-2017, Doan had been living in Chicago with his close friend and former Eagles and Thunderbirds teammate, Joe Spitzer, prior to the accident. Doan was 25 years of age at the time of his passing.
Besides his mom and dad, Michael also left behind his older brother Eli and younger sister Vanessa and dozens of family members on the Doan and Theriault sides.
A very emotional tribute to Michael a good solid young man taken from us way too soon. The Thunderbird organization deserves a lot of credit for the class shown by them to the memory of Michael and to the Doan family. Toots did a great job showing the effect Michael had on his teammates, family and the community as a whole.
A very stirring tribute by the T-birds and Toots. Congratulations.
Thank you Randy for covering this beautiful tribute to Michael Doan for my dear friends and there family …Suzie❤️
Randy, thanks for sharing. Michael’s passing was difficult for all of us. Personally for me as a friend and former coach, for my son who became close friends with Michael and to so many others. A special young man who had a tremendous heart and spirit for life and friends. This tragedy has helped me share with those around me how much I care about them including players while we’re still together. A wonderful tribute by the T-Birds. Proud of you Toots. Class Act.