It looks like Steve Downie really hated his time with the Arizona Coyotes. After spending 26 games with the club back in 2015-16, Downie apparently had a lot of built up anger which he recently unleashed on Twitter.
Downie’s airing of grievances specifically called out head coach Dave Tippet, but also the organization as a whole.
2nd shout out is to dave tippet and newel brown on running a great program down in AZ there's a reason there in last every year. #classless.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
3rd peterborough Petes are better run then az coyotes
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
4th. I've never played on a team when my best player broke his hand in a fight. Hahah the game has changed. Or tippets an idiot
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
Another classless move done by tippet. This really put over the edge last year and made me quit on az.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
The way they treated big John Scott. I remember watching tippet laugh at big John working his ass off for the team.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
Classless. John Scott is the best team mate I've seen in a long time
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
My last game I played for the coyotes.. dave the man tippet didn't let me skate for 4 days not even a morning skate.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
Then he randomly wants me in his line up .. Fucking classless
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
That's enough for now merry Christmas to all.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016
That’s a lot to digest.
In summary, Downie wasn’t happy with how Tippet treated him and John Scott during his time in Arizona. That’s an extremely strong take from a player who appeared in just 26 games with the organization. While it’s impossible to confirm or deny anything which Downie stated during his rant, there is no denying that the Coyotes are a team without any sense of direction which is reflected by their position in the standings.
Downie went on to bash Colin Campbell, Don Cherry and his own personal approach to the game. Downie was a multi-dimension player in the NHL, but he was always willing to drop the mitts. That’s a fact he now regrets.
But again, I did what don cherry said to do every Saturday night. Just fucking disgusted when I look back. Wish I never played.
— Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016
Downie was on a roll on Twitter, but it’s difficult to tell how sincere any of his statements are. It’d be nice to see him conduct a more formal interview about all of his comments instead of putting it all on social media.
That being said, it will be interesting to see how his reactions will compare to other NHL tough guys as more and more leave hockey.
