Aaron Downey, (born August 27, 1974 in Shelburne,
Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey
forward playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the
National Hockey League.
Downey, a journeyman for the bulk of his NHL career,
had previously played for the Montreal Canadiens,
Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins,
and Dallas Stars. He has also played in the minor
leagues for the Manitoba Moose, Portland Pirates,
Providence Bruins, Norfolk Admirals, and the Hampton
Roads Admirals. Downey played his junior hockey for
Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. He's
played for four of the Original Six NHL teams over
the course of his career.
Downey is mostly known for his role as an enforcer,
though he instantly shot into notoriety after
knocking the Carolina Hurricanes' Jesse Boulerice
down with one punch on February 11, 2003; the
incident left Boulerice with a mild concussion and a
broken jaw. After the fight, Stars color commentator
Daryl Reaugh coined the short-lived nickname "Aaron
'One punch and he's' Downey."
On February 26, 2007, Aaron Downey was placed on
waivers by the Montreal Canadiens, and was sent down
to the Hamilton Bulldogs. On March 2, 2007 Downey
was loaned to the Providence Bruins from the
Hamilton Bulldogs for Phillipe Sauve.
Downey was invited to the 2007 Red Wings training
camp on a tryout basis. He was offered a two-way
contract at the end of camp and chose to sign.
Downey begins the 2007–08 NHL season as a member of
the Red Wings, his fourth Original Six team. He was
called up to the Detroit Red Wings lineup in mid
October and has his first major league tilt as a Red
Wing in a game against the San Jose Sharks, with
Kyle McLaren, after Mclaren took a run at Henrik
Zetterberg and Dallas Drake. Less then a week later
the Wings played the Sharks again and Downey had a
heaveyweight battle against then San Jose tough guy
Rob Davison.
Downey has added an element of toughness to the Red
Wings with his willingness to fight. For the past
several seasons, the Red Wings had been last in the
NHL in fighting majors. The team had 6 for the
2005–06 NHL season, and 10 during the 2006–07 NHL
season. Through February 2008, Downey has accounted
for 9 of the teams 19 fights. He is often praised by
head coach Mike Babcock for his willingness to stick
up for teammates and his positive attitude in the
dressing room. Perhaps his most memorable bout was
against Colorado Avalanche player Ian Laperriere who
had hit and injured Red Wings superstar defenceman
Nicklas Lidstrom earlier in the game. The two fought
late in the first period and came together again
early in the third.
Aaron has 2 younger brothers playing pro in Ontario,
in a Senior League, Trevor 6' 1 200 lbs 4–6–1976,
and Luke 5'11 200 lbs 7–25–1984 both play for their
hometown team in Shelburne.
