I was always a big
Steve Downie fan. I loved the way he played the game - with reckless abandon. His career started out a bit too reckless as he was suspended for a
vicious hit on Dean McAmmond in an exhibition game. Downie was suspended 20 games before even playing an official NHL game. The Flyers, who had drafted Downie in the 1st round in 2005, eventually tired of his act and sent him to Tampa in 2008.
It was with the Tampa Bay Lightning that Downie, under the tutelage of Rick Tocchet, finally started to reel in his game and become a top 6 forward. In 2009-10 Downie became the first player since 2002, to score 20 goals and get 200 PIM in the same season. He also had a great post-season, helping the team make it to the semi-finals. Downie wasn't able to build on that success and was traded to the Colorado Avanlache in 2012. Downie finished the season strong with the Avs but was injured for almost the entire 2013 season.
One of things I like about TTMing is learning about the players when you do research to make a
kiss kick ass request letter. Although sometimes you learn some things that aren't too flattering. In junior,
Downie attacked teammate Akim Aliu during a team practice. Downie, in his 3rd junior season, was upset that Aliu, a rookie, had refused to take part in a hazing incident, which involved being naked on the team bus. That's messed up.
In the process of preparing a TTM, have you ever learned anything disagreeable about that player?
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