Steve Downie(born April 3, 1987) is aCanadianformer professionalice hockeyforwardwho played in theNational Hockey League(NHL) for thePhiladelphia Flyers,Tampa Bay Lightning,Colorado Avalanche,Pittsburgh PenguinsandArizona Coyotes,with the Flyers having drafted him in the first round, 29th overall, in2005.
| Steve Downie | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Downie with thePittsburgh Penguinsin December 2014 | |||
| Born |
April 3, 1987 Newmarket,Ontario,Canada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 191 lb (87 kg; 13 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for |
Philadelphia Flyers Tampa Bay Lightning Colorado Avalanche Pittsburgh Penguins Arizona Coyotes | ||
| National team |
 Canada | ||
| NHL draft |
29th overall,2005 Philadelphia Flyers | ||
| Playing career | 2007–2016 | ||
Playing career
editDownie grew up inHolland Landing, Ontario,the younger son of Anne and the late John Downie.[citation needed]He has one sibling, brother Greg, and attendedSacred Heart High Schoolin Newmarket.[citation needed]He playedminor ice hockeyfor the York-Simcoe Express AAA organization of theOntario Minor Hockey Association(OMHA), and competed in the 2001Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournamentwith them.[1]Downie led his Express Bantam team to the All-Ontario AAA Championship in April 2002.[citation needed]He later attendedSt. Joseph's Catholic High SchoolinWindsor, Ontario,in 2004.[citation needed]He was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, by theWindsor Spitfiresin the 2003 OHL Priority Selection.[citation needed]
Junior
editDownie was selected in the first round, 29th overall, in the2005 NHL Entry Draftby thePhiladelphia Flyers.Not long after being drafted, Downie was suspended for five games early in the2005–06 OHL seasonfor an on-ice altercation with teammateAkim Aliu.During a practice on September 28, 2005, Downie cross-checked Aliu in the face without warning, knocking out seven of his teeth, and then proceeded to fight his younger teammate.[2]The incident stemmed from 16-year-old Aliu's refusal to take part in ahazingincident, where he would have been forced to stand naked in a cramped bus bathroom with other rookies. The team suspended Downie for five games and Aliu for one, and Downie was told to undergo professional counseling. Spitfires Head CoachMoe Mantha Jr.was suspended by the OHL and later fired by the team, and the team was fined $35,000 by the OHL.[3]Downie left the team, requesting a trade, and was eventually traded to thePeterborough Petesin exchange for Peter Aston.[4]In 2020, Aliu would reflect on the incident in an opinion piece entitled "Hockey Is Not For Everyone". Aliu described other hazing incidents leading to the attack and stated he viewed them as being racially motivated, calling Downie a "racist sociopath" and further remarking "He looked at me and saw a black boy with a weird accent — and didn’t like me because of it. I was attacked because of the color of my skin."[5]
Brent Sutternamed Downie to theCanadian junior teamfor the2006 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsinVancouver.He made a name for himself at the tournament, contributing to Canada'sgold medal-winning effort by scoring two goals and four assists in six games while also being named to the all-tournament team.[6]
On May 30, 2006, the Philadelphia Flyers announced that they had signed Downie to a three-year, entry-level contract. "It is unbelievable," said Downie in a Flyers press release. "[Signing with the Flyers] was one of the goals that I had set at the beginning of the year and I am just very thankful for this chance. I’m a gritty, physical player and I also am an offensive player as well."[7]
After attending Flyers' training camp in the Fall and playing in several pre-season games, however, the club returned Downie to Peterborough. Downie returned to the international stage yet again in December 2006, participating in the2007 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsinLeksandandMora,Sweden.On January 5, 2007, Canada won the gold medal for the first time on European ice since 1997 with a 4–2 victory overRussia.Throughout the whole tournament, however, Downie was involved in OHL trade rumours. On January 8, 2007, Downie was indeed traded to theKitchener Rangersin exchange for Yves Bastien, the Rangers' second-round picks in the 2007 and 2008 OHL Priority Selections, as well as the 2007 second-round pick of theBrampton Battalion.[8]
Professional
editIn his first full professional season in2007–08,Downie's professional career got off to an inauspicious start during a pre-season game against theOttawa Senatorson September 25, 2007. He was involved in an incident in which he checked unsuspecting left wingerDean McAmmondinto the boards, while his feetwere off the ice.[9]Due to the extent of McAmmond's injury and having left his skates during the hit, Downie was suspended by the NHL for 20 games three days later for deliberate injury to McAmmond, as the NHL were cracking down on any play resulting in a head injury. To date, it is the fifth-longest suspension given by the League.[10]One day after the NHL suspension was announced, the Flyers announced they had sent Downie down to the team'sAmerican Hockey League(AHL) affiliate, thePhiladelphia Phantoms.Per AHL by-laws, Downie was considered automatically ineligible to play pending a review by the AHL (as the AHL honours NHL suspensions). AHL PresidentDavid Andrewssuspended Downie for the first month of the AHL season as a result of the injuries to McAmmond.[11]
After serving his suspension in the AHL, Downie made his long-awaited NHL regular season debut with the Flyers on December 5, 2007, against theMinnesota Wild.He scored his first career NHL goal over one month later, on January 5, 2008, againstAndrew Raycroftof theToronto Maple Leafs.During the game, Downie got into a scuffle with Maple Leafs forwardJason Blake.While the linesmen were attempting to keep them apart, Downie got his left arm loose and sucker-punched Blake in the left eye while Blake's arms and hands were still tied up by the other linesman.[12]During a game against theNew York Rangerson February 9, 2008, Downie was hip-checked by Rangers defencemanFedor Tyutin,and his skate hit linesman Pat Dapuzzo in the face. Dapuzzo required 60 stitches to reattach his nose, suffered ten facial fractures and was forced to retire as a result. During the2008 Stanley Cup playoffs,in Game 3 of theEastern Conference Finalson May 13, 2008, Downie hitPetr Sýkoraas the play ended onRyan Malone's goal that gave thePittsburgh Penguinsa 3–1 lead. Sýkora did not have the puck when Downie hit him.[13]
In the following season,2008–09,Downie initially made the Flyers' opening night roster before being later demoted to Phantoms. On November 7, 2008, Downie was traded by the Flyers to theTampa Bay Lightning,along withSteve Eminger,in exchange for defencemanMatt Carle.Downie was immediately assigned to Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate, theNorfolk Admirals,before he was recalled and made his Lightning debut in a 4–2 defeat against the Minnesota Wild on November 28, 2008.[14]Downie continued to split the season between Norfolk and Tampa Bay, and his reputation for unnecessary aggressive behaviour was further developed on February 28, 2009, after he slashed alinesman,Mike Hamilton, in the shin following a controversial empty-net goal in a game against theHershey Bears,receiving a game misconduct for physical abuse of an official. Under AHL rules, the penalty carried an automatic 20-game suspension, which was Downie's second lengthy suspension.[15][16]He would later make his return in the NHL regular season finale game for the Lightning.
In the2009–10 season,with the intention to curb his on-ice aggression positively, whilst under the influence of former agitator and then-Lightning Head CoachRick Tocchet,Downie played his first full season in the NHL and recorded a career-high 22 goals and 46 points. Downie also became the first player sinceTheoren Fleuryin 2002 to score 20 goals and record over 200 penalty minutes in a single season.[17]
In March 2010, Downie was fined for a hit on the Pittsburgh Penguins'Sidney Crosby.Downie stated thatColin Campbell,League disciplinarian, told him it was a "dangerous play."[18]Downie finished his first full season with 46 points in 79 games. After a successful NHL season, he was then selected to participate in the2010 World ChampionshipsforTeam Canada.[19]
Prior to the commencement of the2010–11 season,on August 25, 2010, Downie re-signed with the Lightning on a two-year contract worth $3.7 million.[20]Having established himself offensively with Tampa, Downie's versatility and checking game helped provide 32 points in 57 games, whilst finishing with 171 penalty minutes to place tenth in the League. In contributing to the Lightning's return to theStanley Cup playoffsin2011,Downie led the team inplus-minusrating and finished fourth in team scoring with 14 points, as the Lightning ultimately reached the Eastern Conference Finals, falling to the eventualStanley Cupchampions, theBoston Bruins.
At the beginning of the2011–12 season,Downie appeared in his 200th career NHL game against theWashington Capitalson October 10, 2011.[21]He later set a Lightning franchise record for two quickest goals by an individual when he scored twice within the span of 11 seconds against Pittsburgh on February 12, 2012.[22]Whilst in the final year of his contract, and with the Lightning under-performing, Downie was traded to theColorado Avalanchein exchange for defencemanKyle Quincey,who was himself traded later that same day to theDetroit Red Wings,on February 21, 2012.[23]The next day, Downie made his Avalanche debut in a 4–1 victory over theLos Angeles Kings.[24]Immediately placed on the Avalanche's top line alongsideRyan O'ReillyandGabriel Landeskog,Downie provided instant success and coincidentally became the first Avalanche player since Theoren Fleury in 1999 to score seven points in his first four games with the club.[25]Downie continued to score 13 points in 20 games whilst hampered by a lingering shoulder injury as the Avalanche failed to qualify for the2012 playoffs.He achieved a career-high combined 27 assists for the season before he was shut down to endure off-season surgery to repair aseparated shoulder.[26]
On June 29, 2012, the Avalanche re-signed Downie to a two-year, $5.3 million contract.[27]Having used theNHL lock-outto recuperate from off-season surgery, Downie entered the shortened2012–13 seasonin full health, only to suffer a season-ending knee injury in just his second game of the campaign; he was injured trying to hitDavis Drewiskeof the Los Angeles Kings, requiring surgery to repair atornanterior cruciate ligament(ACL) in his right knee.[28]
On October 31, 2013, after producing seven points in 11 games with the Avalanche to start the2013–14 season,Downie was traded back to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange forMaxime Talbot.[29]
On July 2, 2014, Downie was signed as a free agent by thePittsburgh Penguinsto a one-year, $1 million contract.[30]Downie established himself amongst the Penguins lower checking lines, and proved good value for his contract in the2014–15season. He contributed with 14 goals and 28 points as he led the league in penalty minutes with 238.[citation needed]
At the conclusion of his contract, Downie opted to part ways with the Penguins and sign as a free agent to a one-year contract with the Arizona Coyotes on July 1, 2015.[31]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
editBoldindicates led league
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2002–03 | York Simcoe Express | Bantam | 14 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Aurora Tigers | OPJHL | 34 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL | 49 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 90 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | ||
| 2004–05 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL | 61 | 21 | 52 | 73 | 179 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 49 | ||
| 2005–06 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Peterborough Petes | OHL | 34 | 16 | 34 | 50 | 109 | 19 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 38 | ||
| 2006–07 | Peterborough Petes | OHL | 28 | 23 | 36 | 59 | 92 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Kitchener Rangers | OHL | 17 | 12 | 21 | 33 | 32 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 15 | ||
| 2006–07 | Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 21 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 114 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 32 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 73 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 2008–09 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 4 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Norfolk Admirals | AHL | 23 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 107 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 23 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 79 | 22 | 24 | 46 | 208 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 57 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 171 | 17 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 40 | ||
| 2011–12 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 55 | 12 | 16 | 28 | 121 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 20 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 11 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 51 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 72 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 238 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2015–16 | Arizona Coyotes | NHL | 26 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | Springfield Falcons | AHL | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 434 | 76 | 120 | 196 | 1057 | 28 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 54 | ||||
International
edit| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| RepresentingCanada
| ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
 |
2007Sweden | |
|
2006Canada | |
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Canada Ontario | U17 | 
|
6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | |
| 2006 | Canada | WJC |
|
6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 16 | |
| 2007 | Canada | WJC |
|
6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 16 | |
| 2010 | Canada | WC | 7th | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 28 | |
| Junior totals | 18 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 40 | ||||
| Senior totals | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 28 | ||||
Personal life
editDownie's father, John Downie, died in a car accident in 1996 while driving Steve to a hockey practice.[32] He is deaf in his right ear due to the hearing disorderotosclerosisand wears a hearing aid.[32]
References
edit- ^"Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA"(PDF).Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.2018. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 6, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 15,2019.
- ^"Downie fights own teammate".YouTube.September 28, 2005.RetrievedSeptember 28,2005.
- ^"Moe Mantha, Jr. suspended, later fired".CBC Sports.October 18, 2005.RetrievedOctober 18,2005.
- ^"Petes gets stronger with Downie's arrival".The Sports Network.November 12, 2005.RetrievedJanuary 8,2009.
- ^"Hockey Is Not for Everyone".The Player's Tribune. May 19, 2020.RetrievedMay 19,2020.
- ^"Flyers prospects make their mark at World Junior Championships".Philadelphia Flyers.January 7, 2007.RetrievedFebruary 22,2012.
- ^"Flyers sign three draft picks".Philadelphia Flyers.May 30, 2006.RetrievedFebruary 22,2012.
- ^"Rangers land Downie from Petes".Kitchener Rangers.January 8, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon January 11, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 8,2009.
- ^"Steve Downie's controversial hit on Dean McAmmond".YouTube.September 25, 2007.RetrievedSeptember 25,2007.
- ^"Downie suspended 20 games for hit".TheStar.com.September 28, 2007.RetrievedSeptember 28,2007.
- ^"Downie barred from AHL after NHL suspension".The Sports Network.October 1, 2007.RetrievedOctober 1,2007.
- ^"NHL investigating sucker punch on Blake".National Post.January 6, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 8,2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Pens Sykora plans revenge on Downie".Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.May 13, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 8,2009.
- ^"Wild 4, Lightning 2".CBS Sports.November 28, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 2,2011.
- ^"More trouble for Steve Downie".National Hockey League.March 1, 2009.RetrievedMarch 1,2009.
- ^"AHL suspends Downie 20 games for striking official with stick".The Sports Network.March 5, 2009.RetrievedMarch 5,2009.
- ^"Tampa Bay Lightning's Steve Downie adds new wrinkle to tough guy routine: scoring goals".Tampa Bay Times.March 25, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon March 27, 2010.RetrievedMarch 25,2010.
- ^"Campbell warns Downie on" dangerous play "".ESPN.March 2, 2010.RetrievedMarch 2,2010.
- ^"2010 World Championship squad announced".The Sports Network.April 1, 2010.RetrievedApril 1,2010.
- ^"NHL update Downie signs contract with Lightning".National Hockey League.August 25, 2010.RetrievedAugust 25,2010.
- ^"Capitals beat Lightning in playoff re-match".CBS Sports.October 11, 2011.RetrievedOctober 11,2011.
- ^"Downie sets Bolts mark with 2 goals in 11 seconds".CBS Sports.February 12, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 12,2012.
- ^TSN staff (February 21, 2012)."Lightning Acquire Quincey for Downie, then deal him to Wings".The Sports Network.Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 22,2012.
- ^"Avs complete season sweep of Kings".CBS Sports.February 22, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 23,2012.
- ^"Downie re-signs with Avalanche".National Hockey League.June 29, 2012.RetrievedJune 29,2012.
- ^"Avalanche's Steve Downie had shoulder surgery".Denver Post.May 5, 2012.RetrievedMay 5,2012.
- ^"Avalanche Signs Downie".Colorado Avalanche.June 29, 2012.RetrievedJuly 1,2012.
- ^"NHL notes: Blues end Wade Redden's two-year exile".Canoe.ca.January 23, 2013. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 23,2013.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^"Avalanche trade Downie to Flyers for Talbot".NHL.com. October 31, 2013.RetrievedMay 20,2020.
- ^"Penguins sign forward Steve Downie".Pittsburgh Penguins.July 2, 2014.RetrievedJuly 2,2014.
- ^"Coyotes sign Downie to one-year contract".Arizona Coyotes.July 1, 2015.RetrievedJuly 1,2015.
- ^ab"Downie dreaming of invite".Slam-Canoe.ca. November 29, 2005. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013.RetrievedNovember 29,2005.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
External links
edit
- Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL.com,orEliteprospects.com,orHockey-Reference.com,orThe Internet Hockey Database