#Did steve downie get traded full#

'Without both of them, their dedication and sacrifice, there is no way I'd be where I'm at now. 'The impact both my mother and father have had in my life goes way beyond words,' explained Downie, who is also deaf in one ear due to a hearing disorder. In doing so, he would exhibit remarkable character and maturity, all the while continuing to play hockey and excel at the major junior level. At a very young age, thus, Downie was faced not only with the grips of an unspeakable tragedy, but also with the challenging task of helping his mother at the family farm in Ontario. He walked away from the incident physically unharmed, but his father did not survive.

#Did steve downie get traded full#

But, to truly understand where the Newmarket, Ontario native is now, you have to look at the full scope of his journey.Īt the age of seven, Downie was involved in an auto accident on the way to an early-morning hockey practice. That he was chosen to wear the 'C' as captain of the Petes for the current season speaks volumes for just how far he has come over the past year. 'We're obviously looking for big things from Steve this year, but I think he has a very bright future in the NHL as well.'įor Downie, success has never come easily. He scores, controls our power play, plays on the penalty kill, hits, fights, does just about everything. 'He has evolved into a very complete player at this level, and continues to get better and better. 'Steve is a real gamer, a tremendous competitor,' explained Petes Head Coach Vince Malette, of the 5-10, 190 lb. The team's first round draft selection in 2005 (29th overall) is a gritty, win-at-all-costs competitor, now performing in what is all but certainly his final season at the major junior level with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).ĭownie, 19, does not possess the apparent skill level or high-end potential that former OHL opponents (and current Flyers sophomores) Jeff Carter and Mike Richards enjoy, but he is, nonetheless, one of the most intriguing prospects to pass through the organization in some time. Like the aforementioned and many other all-time Flyers favorites, Steve Downie wears his heart on his sleeve. In a town that takes almost as much pride in the historically tough reputation of its hockey team as it does its collective 'everyman' mentality, players like Bob Clarke, Rick Tocchet and even Ron Hextall were quickly accepted, and celebrated, as second sons. An honest, lunch pail effort outweighs flamboyance and celebrity sizzle on any day of the week.

Philadelphia sports fans have always favored the 'blue collar' athlete.