He's only 5'11" but he'll hit anything that moves. He's already been suspended for 20 games for a late hit but keeps playing his brand of physical, determined hockey. He's learning how to control his temper and get under other players skin. And, oh yeah, he can score, win the puck along the boards, make plays and find the open man.
He is Steve Downie, a 20-year old rookie for the Philadelphia Flyers. A lot of people, in and outside of the media and the NHL, have made a big deal about his gritty, in-your-face, style of play. But when you get down to it, he's much more than a bully.
While playing on the Canadian team in the World Junior Championships he led his team to two championships in back to back years. He's got four points in six games with the Flyers and has already made a name for himself throughout the league.
The kid is getting space and respect from players that he's never played against. People already know that he will make you pay if you admire a pass or try to make a play along the boards. It's amazing to see a 6-game rookie get so much time and be feared in the way that he is.
Downie is bringing the spirit of the Broadstreet Bullies back to the Flyers, a much needed attitude after last year's dissmal season. He stands up for himself and his teammates while, at the same time, energizing his bench with big hits, up-tempo play and (I assume) a lot of on and off-ice chatter.There is one problem with Downie, however. As soon as he got suspended he was marked with a scarlet 'G' on his sweater. (The 'G' is for goon) Flyers fans have already seen Downie get pegged with penalties that he did not commit, did not deserve or did not need to be called. In this way he's got a big bulls eye on his back, very much like the recently traded Ben Eager did.
Downie will be called closer than most players because the League and referees are watching him, that is for sure. What is uncertain, at this point, is whether or not this will effect his temper.
After General Manager Paul Holmgren sat down with Downie and told him to lengthen his fuse, he obliged quickly. There have been no more cheap shots after whistles, and more often than not, if Downie is in a scrum he's taking another player to the sin bin with him.
Head Coach John Stevens has already rewarded the rookie with time on the Power Play and 4-0n-4 situations. In a few years, Flyers fans will see the core of their team morph into a young and seriously talented group of players that include Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Steve Downie, Braydon Coburn and Scottie Upshall.
The future is in Philadelphia and it plays with passion.
Photos taken from http://www.trentarthur.info/ and http://www.viewimages.com/
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