Flyers' rookie suspended 20 games for hard hit
Downie gave concussion to Senators' McAmmond in preseason game
Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press via APFlyers rookie Steve Downie was suspended 20 games by the NHL on Friday for leaving his feet to deliver a deliberate and dangerous hit to the head Ottawa’s Dean McAmmond.
updated 11:34 p.m. ET Sept. 28, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Flyers rookie Steve Downie’s NHL debut is on hold. So is Dean McAmmond’s 13-year career.
Downie received a 20-game suspension from the NHL on Friday for leaving his feet to deliver a deliberate and dangerous hit to the head of the Ottawa forward, one of the longest punishments in league history.
“It’s a hit that as soon you see it live, you think, ’This is going to be a bad one,” NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell said.
Downie received a match penalty and was automatically suspended until Friday’s hearing in Toronto. His suspension matched the fourth-longest in league history, falling five games shy of the league-record handed down against Islanders forward Chris Simon for his two-handed stick attack to the face of Ryan Hollweg of the New York Rangers in March.
“I’m disappointed with the outcome,” Downie said. “But I’m going to take this in a positive way, work hard, get in better shape and be prepared for when the suspension is over.”
McAmmond was taken off the ice on a stretcher in the second period of Tuesday’s preseason game and is out indefinitely with a concussion.
“The hit was deliberate, dangerous and has no place in our league,” Campbell said. “He crossed a line in a wholehearted way.”
McAmmond has a history of concussions and was knocked out of the playoffs last spring after a hit to the head by Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger. Pronger received a one-game ban for that hit, one of many leveled at the head last season that forced the NHL to crack down.
“I feel the ruling is strong enough to prevent these things from happening in the future,” McAmmond said in a statement on the team’s Web site. “At this point, the NHL needs to a make a statement to try to protect players, and I hope that a suspension of this length will do that successfully.”
Campbell said Downie’s hit met the four requirements for a stiff punishment on a blow to a player’s head: the head was intentionally targeted; a player launched himself by leaving his feet to hit a player in the head area; the hit was delivered to an unsuspecting opponent; and the lateness of the hit.
“I think it’s harsh. But is it fair? I don’t know,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. “I do think Colin Campbell has a very difficult job and I respect him for the work he does. Having said that, we’ll certainly live with it and do our best to get through it.”
Holmgren said Downie was remorseful and understands the ramifications of his actions.
Campbell said Downie would be available to play for the Flyers’ minor league affiliate in the AHL. Downie also was not eligible to play in the Flyers two remaining preseason games, including Friday night at Washington.
Flyers All-Star forward Simon Gagne called the penalty “unfair.”
“I’ve seen worse in the past and the league was a lot easier on guys,” Gagne said. “If Steve’s the first guy to have to take all those games for it, hopefully the league’s going to be consistent if something like that happens in the future. I hope they will be severe like they are with Steve. I hope Steve’s not going to be the only guy.”
Downie has not played an NHL game with the Flyers and was expected to start the season in the minor leagues. But injuries this week to forwards Scottie Upshall, R.J. Umberger and Joffrey Lupul boosted the chances that the 20-year-old prospect could have started the year with the Flyers.
Now he waits.
Downie said after the game he thought he delivered a clean hit.
“My game is hitting and finishing checks,” Downie said. “I’m just trying to earn a spot on a roster. It’s part of my game and I apologize for him getting hurt. I thought I got him clean. Unfortunately he hit the boards after.”
McAmmond had lost possession of the puck and was skating behind the Philadelphia net when he was sent to the ice by Downie’s flying check at 2:39 of the second period. Downie’s feet left the ice before the violent collision.
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