• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
NHL Entry Draft

Michael Downing – The Next Ones: NHL 2013 Draft Prospect Profile

By THW Archives June 12th, 2013

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Michael Downing THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 5/19/1995

Place of birth: Canton, Michigan

Ht: 6’3″     Wt: 185 lbs

Shoots: Left

Position: D

NHL Draft Eligibility: 2013

Twitter: @M_Downing4

THW The Next Ones Rankings (January 2013): 68

Michael Downing [photo: Maddie MacFarlane]

Michael Downing [photo: Maddie MacFarlane]

Other Rankings:

THW War Room Rankings (April): 69

ISS (May): Not ranked

Future Considerations: Not ranked

Craig Button: Not ranked

Consensus aggregate of several services (NHL Numbers): 52

CS Final Rankings for North American skaters: 49

***

[NHL 2013 Draft Guide – The Next Ones Draft Headquarters: Your quintessential draft resource]

***

He’s got the size.  He’s got the skill.  He’s got the vision.  He’s got the defensive awareness.  He’s Michael Downing of the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

A mix of poise, finesse, tenaciousness, Michael Downing is one of the most well established two-way defenders you’ll find.  He’s been playing with the Fighting Saints for the past two seasons and helped the team win the USHL Championship this year.  Far and away the best defenseman on the team, Downing has really turned a few heads and impressed some scouts leading up to this year’s draft.

Standing 6’3″, Downing is keen on using his body in his own end.  He won’t shy away from a physical battle along the boards and rarely gets caught out of position.  He’s a cerebral player when the puck is on his stick.  Passing is one of the key attributes to his game and his tape-to-tape passing is mostly on target.  Downing can pivot very well, but still could look to work on his skating (agility, acceleration, speed).

The future Michigan Wolverine still has issues with 1-on-1 play and can find himself catching up to a play, as opposed to stopping it.  Another aspect Downing might need to tie down is his gap control through the middle.  His tendency is to play on the outside of the perimeter, but allowing the play to come to him, once in a while, could do wonders.

Where Will He End Up In June:

Downing’s all-around game could make him a hot commodity after the 1st round has passed.  Don’t be shocked to hear his name called in the 2nd round, but a 3rd round pick is a bit more suitable.

Scout’s Honor:

“The Michigan recruit packs loads of potential into his large frame.  His strength is in his ability to move the puck quickly and accurately whether it’s to a quick moving forward through the neutral zone or a soft pass left behind the net for his defensive partner while being pursued by a forechecker.  Downing sees the ice and is very good at anticipating the play and chooses the right option.  He is so quick in transitioning and reading the play that he sometimes executes before his teammates are ready.  He should have no trouble in this regard as he advances in his career.

In fact, it may translate into more points as he plays up a level.  Downing is not without his flaws, though.  He needs to work on his footwork a bit when closing the gap on fast skating forwards who take him to the outside.  Also, while Downing possesses a good stick, he has to improve on his 1 on 1 technique when closing on the puck carrier to deliver a check. He’s prone to missing occasionally both in open ice and along the boards.  All that said, Downing makes for a good project with considerable upside and relatively little risk.”

The Scouting Report

“Big defender that is coming into his own. Shows physicality, a quick stick, long reach, mobility, and skill. Displays excellent reach, and poise when he has the puck, and passes very well up ice. Is not a polished up ice guy or on the PP, but shows potential to develop into a strong defensive defenseman who will control areas with his stick and physicality. His defensive game is a work in progress, his transition game will only get better. Tremendous upside. Committed to the University of Michigan.”

Bill Placzek – DraftingSite.com

“A veteran of International Competition, Downing has great size and skating ability that allows him to play any way. Plays a tenacious and physical style, but has the skill to move the puck and contribute offensively also. The Michigan commit captained Team USA at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Tournament.”

Aaron Vickers – Future Considerations

Michael Downing [photo: Maddie MacFarlane]

Michael Downing [photo: Maddie MacFarlane]

Statistics:

Bio/Interview(s)/Links:

Interview with USA Hockey

Feature on The Hockey News

Interview with NHL.com

International Tournaments:

He’s donned the Team USA jersey twice in competition where he has two assists in nine total games.  He was the captain for Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament.

ETA:

3-4 years

Risk/Reward Analysis:

Risk: 2/5  Reward: 4/5

NHL Potential:

2nd pairing defenseman that can play powerplay, penalty kill, and even strength

Strengths:

Size

Grittiness

First pass

Poise

Passing

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

Skating

Controlling aggressiveness

Gap control

1-on-1 battles

Fantasy Hockey Potential:

Offensive: 6/10  Defensive: 6/10

NHL Player Comparison:

– In an interview with CollegeHockeyProspective.com, Downing compares his game to that of Detroit Red Wings defender, Niklas Kronwall.

Video(s):

***

THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph

Follow Shawn Reznik on Twitter: @ShawnTHW

  • Tags
  • 2013 NHL Draft
  • Dubuque Fighting Saints
  • University of Michigan
  • USHL
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 15th 1:29 PM
Archives

Fuhr Suspension Helped Pave Way for NHL Drug Policy

Jan 15th 1:15 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Matthews Calls for Consistency on Cross-Checking Calls (Video)

Jan 15th 1:09 PM
Archives

The 8 Best Defensive Forwards in Hockey History

Jan 15th 12:50 PM
New Jersey Devils

Devils Youth (and Rust) on Display in Season Opener

Jan 15th 12:25 PM
Boston Bruins

NHL Rumors: Canadiens, Blackhawks, Bruins, Oilers, Panthers, More

Jan 15th 12:15 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders Pick Up Where They Left Off in 4-0 Debut

Jan 15th 11:59 AM
Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets’ Home-Opener History

Jan 15th 11:52 AM
Archives

Remembering an Old Friend: Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium

Jan 15th 10:25 AM
Los Angeles Kings

Kings Will Benefit From Doughty & Maatta Pairing

Jan 15th 10:15 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Revisiting the Golden Knights’ Trade for Max Pacioretty

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information