No matter what he does, Steve Downie’s reputation will likely continue to precede him for the foreseeable future. After multiple suspensions in his junior and professional careers, it’s just something the former first round pick is going to have to work through.
Until now, many local fans may have only heard his name associated with on-ice discipline issues, but the 21-year-old winger, recently acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers along with defenseman Steve Eminger by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the deal that sent defenseman Matt Carle the other way, is the first to admit that he is still a work in progress.
“I guess I haven’t really defined myself yet as a player,” he told me today.
That definition will now begin to materialize with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals, Tampa’s top minor league affiliate, under first-year head coach Darren Rumble. Unfortunately for Downie, the first instance of that tarnished reputation haunting him has already surfaced, just six games into his Admirals tenure.
In the second period of last Wednesday’s game against Worcester, Downie was assessed a boarding major for a hit on Sharks defenseman Kyle McLaren. The hit was marginal, according to many who witnessed it and, by Downie’s explanation, the intent wasn’t malicious.
“I was just trying to finish my hit,” he said.
“(McLaren) was following through on a shot and I clipped him in the shoulder and he spun into the boards awkwardly.”
McLaren returned in the third period, apparently none the worse for wear, and there was no game misconduct on the play, something that stood out to Downie when surprised by a 3-game suspension from the league.
“I remained in the game after (the play) and I really didn’t think I was going to get suspended but it happens, I guess.”
That it does, especially these days where head shots and runs at players deemed to be even slightly vulnerable are under more scrutiny than ever and especially for a player with a history of discipline problems. Clearly, avoiding the long arm of league disciplinarians is part and parcel to Downie becoming the effective player many believe he can be, a slippery slope for nearly every player of his ilk.
Steve Downie in action with the Admirals (Photo credit: John Wright)
Since being selected 29th overall by Philadelphia in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Downie has spent time with both the Flyers and the AHL Phantoms after completing a junior career that included stops in Windsor, Peterborough and Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League. Marring his Philly tenure was a 20-game suspension for a preseason hit last year on Ottawa’s Dean McAmmond and some costly turnovers in the 2008 playoffs, for which Flyers coach John Stevens received lofty criticism for putting the youngster in such a pressure-packed position. But his time with the Flyers organization was an invaluable learning experience and Downie singled out current Flyers assistant coach and former Phantoms head coach Craig Berube, general manager Paul Holmgren and strength and conditioning coach Jim McCrossin as positive influences on his career.
“They’re all positive people there who taught me how to be a pro and to grow up on and off the ice.”
A source close to the Flyers organization told me fine-tuning his edgy game is what will ultimately determine Downie’s success.
“There’s no doubting he’s a talented kid. To be effective, he just has to play with that edge but there’s a very fine line there that he still has to learn. Some guys can’t do that”
As such a young player, struggling with that very dichotomy might be Downie’s biggest obstacle to overcome. He has to play the trademark style that makes him so appealing but, at the same time, temper things enough to stay out of serious trouble.
“I’m a feisty, gritty forward that can contribute around the net,” he said, describing his own play.
“I base my game on agitating and being a physical player.”
Though that very description will no doubt draw the easy comparisons to Dallas Stars agitator extraordinaire Sean Avery, the Lightning organization need look no further than behind their team’s own bench for a better model for Downie to follow.
While he certainly doesn’t have the size of a Rick Tocchet at 5’10” and 195 pounds, Downie would surely benefit under the tutelage of the new Lightning head coach, a 440-goal scorer in over 1,100 NHL games himself.
He may never come close to those kind of numbers, of course, but the style of play Downie says he’s never really tried to change throughout his career sure sounds exactly like what Tocchet has been yearning for more of from his Lightning players since taking over from Barry Melrose just eleven days ago.
Of Tocchet, Downie says,
“I’ve never met him but I’ve heard nothing but great things. Everyone loved him in Philadelphia and, even after I got traded, they made sure I knew he was there, so I’m real excited to meet him.”
It may be a while, of course, before Downie dons a Lightning sweater and, for now, he’s content to put in the necessary work on the farm until he gets his shot.
“I’m just going to work hard. That’s what I basically do, so that’s what my focus is right now – working hard every day, continuing to get better and developing.”
And when the Bolts come calling?
“When they give me a call – if they give me a call,” Downie said,
“I’ll be ready to give my best effort.”
That call will come at some point and Downie’s upside continues to outweigh any detriments.
“He’s an exciting player through and through,” a league source added.
“It’s just a matter of putting it all together.”
The Lightning are betting on seeing that total package in Tampa for a long time to come.
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