Former NHLer Steve Downie took to twitter over the holidays to tell it like it is, calling out some of hockey’s biggest names in the process. You don’t have to like what he has to say, but you ought to respect him for saying it.
The 2005 first round draft pick (29th overall) of the Philadelphia Flyers is best known for his aggressive on-ice play. In 2007, Downie was suspended 20 games for a hit to the head of Ottawa Senators forward Dean McAmmond. This stands as the fifth longest suspension in league history.
About the Hit That Defined his Career
Downie doesn’t shy away from his questionable play though. In a twitter rant full of scorn for the fighting culture of the NHL, Downie said:
I just did what I had to do to play. I still think about what I did to Dean macomond and what I caused him to go through with his family.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016
Clearly remorseful for his actions, many lashed out with hate as Downie attempted to tell his side of the story. However, not everyone threw shade. Downie had his supporters and they encouraged him to speak up, even against what many consider to be the toxic environment bread in the dressing rooms of teams across professional sports.
It’s not as if Downie’s perils were aimless. He knew exactly who to point the finger at.
That hit is what happens when you watch don cherry rock em sock em videos from age 5 to 18. Nothing good comes from those vids
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016
This is where Downie makes a good point. He highlights a culture that a lot of young kids grow up in. He uses himself as a case in point for the outcome of what years of false bravado and machismo can do to a person.
Hockey is a game where split second decisions are made and consequences can sometimes result. They can come in the form of career-shattering concussions and 20 game suspensions. It is worth it to put ourselves in Steve Downie’s skates for a second.
He wasn’t quite done with Don. He added:
Sorry Don, but you called me a [expletive] for wearing a visor and trying to protect my eyes. Sad thing is I listened to you.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016
But wait, there’s more
He didn’t just call out Don Cherry for promoting the type of culture to which Downie subscribed, and was subsequently shunned for adhering to. Downie had choice words for Dave Tippet and the Arizona Coyotes franchise as well.
My last game I played for the coyotes.. dave the man tippet didn’t let me skate for 4 days not even a morning skate.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
Downie took a shot at the league concussion protocol, the subject of which has been a hot topic as of late.
I got a concussion with Arizona they don’t call or check up. They actually sent me to a knee doctor haha
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016
For what it’s worth, the NHL has installed concussion spotters and a more comprehensive concussion protocol this year to combat exactly the type of mishandling highlighted by Downie. He still had more to say about Tippet:
2nd shout out is to dave tippet and newel brown on running a great program down in AZ there’s a reason there in last every year. #classless.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
Who knows why the Arizona Coyotes haven’t been making much happen since they entered the league when the Winnipeg Jets moved to the desert in 1996, but Downie does have a point. They do finish close to last almost every single year.
It’s hard not to feel for Downie in a situation like this. It would appear he did what he was told and now everyone hates him for it.
It’s even harder to see an NHLer express remorse over such a dream as a career in the NHL.
But again, I did what don cherry said to do every Saturday night. Just [expletive] disgusted when I look back. Wish I never played.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016
In 434 career NHL games, Steve Downie scored 76 goals and 120 assists while racking up 1057 penalty minutes during stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Arizona Coyotes.
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