Aaron Downey

Aaron Downey is a Canadian defenseman on the Detroit Red Wings.

Downey was signed by the Boston Bruins as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played only one game before being dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks were he spent two seasons. In only 39 games, he racked up 82 penalty minutes, setting his reputation as a capable enforcer in the NHL. He played for Dallas and St. Louis before being signed by Montreal in 2005. In 2003, while still with Dallas, he ended a fight with Jesse Boulerice of the Carolina Hurricanes by knocking him out with a single punch, breaking his jaw and giving him a concussion.

He was given a tryout in Detroit before the 2007-08 season, and has set career highs in games played (56) and penalty minutes (116). The Red Wings had been the least violent team in the NHL since 2005, accumulating only 16 fighting majors over two seasons. In 2007-08, Downey was handed 9 fighting majors, upping the team's total to 19.

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