Very rarely does a player coming out of major juniors come with a reputation before he hits an NHL arena, unless he is scoring at the pace of a Wayne Gretzky or a Mario Lemieux. In Steve Downie’s case, he has not garnered the reputation of those players, but rather someone similar in ability to Sean Avery or Theo Fleury, who has talent and is a bit of a pest. Regardless of which side of the argument you reside, most likely both sides are right.

On the downside, we see someone suspended by the OHL on more than one occasion, including one for beating up his own teammate. On the upside, we see someone who led the OHL in playoff scoring last season until his team, the Kitchener Rangers, got knocked out of the playoffs. Then, during an exhibition game in Ottawa, we see Downie flying through the air with the greatest of ease, ramming Dean McAmmond into the boards and serving a 20-game suspension.

While playing in the AHL this season, after ten games, Downie has one goal and ten assists. At that pace, if he were to have already played the 20 games his Phantom’s teammates have, he would be leading the team in points.

That said, if anything negative were to happen to Downie, maybe having it happen now rather than later is a good thing. A remorseful Downie phoned McAmmond to apologize for the incident. The apology was accepted.

Downie is a talented player and will make a fine NHL player when his career is all said and done. In the meantime, he will live and learn like any good prospect should. Playing for someone such as Phantoms head coach Craig Berube, who knew how to throw a punch or two in his day, just might be the best of things for Downie.

After a hard-fought battle against the Hershey Bears, in which the Phantoms lost 2-1, we caught up with Downie to see how things were these days in the life of an NHL prospect.

IH: How about the game today, that was a tough one, huh?

Downie: “Yes, both teams battled hard. They got some lucky bounces, but we put in a good effort.”

IH: One thing about this season is you are already a part of a great team, having gotten off to the best start in Phantoms history, how does it feel to be a part of the team?

Downie: “We’ve had a really great start so far to the season. We’ve hit a brief wall here and there, but we will be fine. We just have to fight our way through it."

IH: What is it like playing in the AHL’s East Division? There are so many good teams involved in it.

Downie: “We play in a very hard working division. Every team competes every night. There are no nights off here, especially since we got off to such a good start. Everyone wants to beat us. If we come out sluggish in the first period teams are gonna make us pay.”

IH: Is playing in the AHL everything that you expected coming out of juniors?

Downie: “It is everything I’ve expected, and more. It’s been fun. I just try my best and want to improve every day while I am here.”

IH: What is it like playing with a former NHL player like Craig Berube?

Downie: “Coach Berube has been very good to me. He has been teaching me a lot everyday. He wants me to do the little things right, and if I do that, the big things will come.”

IH: How have things been going so far this early in the season for you?

Downie: “It’s been very tough. There has been a lot of learning. Coming from juniors is a big step for me. I am learning a lot today, and improving every day.”

IH: What weaknesses are the coaches trying to work with you most on?

Downie: “Mostly my skating; it is probably the weakest part of my game. It takes time, but I am definitely working hard on it.”

IH: The NHL is big enough these days with so many players more than six feet tall, and here you are on a team that is every bit as big as most NHL teams, is this the kind of experience you were expecting when you came into the league?

Downie: “Yes, definitely. I knew there were going to be a lot of big guys out there, but I have always been the smallest guy out there (listed at 5' 10"). I just take it all in stride and try to do my best.”

IH: You are listed as a right winger, but have you played center before and which do you prefer?

Downie: “I’ve played both winger and center. I’m very flexible. It really doesn’t matter to me what I play. It doesn’t make much of a difference. It is all about hard work and moving your feet well.”

IH: How do you think you are coming along?

Downie “I am working harder on my defensive game. It is a lot harder playing defense here than in juniors, but it is all a learning experience.”

IH: Did you know of anyone on the roster when you got to Philly?

Downie: “I knew (defenseman) Ryan Parent. He and I played in juniors together, so I knew Ryan fairly well.”

IH: How did you like playing in the world juniors?

Downie: “That was a lot of fun. It was a great experience playing internationally. We played in Vancouver, than we played overseas. Winning the gold medal was an amazing experience. I’m glad I got to do it.”

IH: Like any good prospect they want to get to the NHL as soon as possible. Have you set for yourself a timetable of when you want to get there?

Downie: “ Everyone wants to get up to the NHL as soon as they can, but it takes time. You just have to keep working hard, and if you come to work with a good attitude, things will work out.”

Brian’s articles can also be found at ProHockeyNews.com. You may contact him at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com or at bjennings@insidehockey.com.