Former Hornet Bill Downey Grows into role with Nailers

Kudos to Earl Bugaile, the #1 hockey journalist in Western Pennsylvania, on this insightful article reprinted below about Former Hornet Bill Downey on his successes in hockey. Great job Billy, keep up the good work, and great job Earl, you are the best !

Sometimes some of the best advice a young player can get comes from high school coach. If that is the case, than Bill Downey may want to thank Kevin Zielmanski for some tips he gave him when he was a junior at Pittsburgh Central Catholic. “I told him that any coach will give you more ice time as long as you play defensively,” Zielmanski said. “Obviously it’s paying off for him now.”

Downey has found a niche for himself with the Wheeling Nailers, playing on a regular shift on a line with Eric Sonnenberg and Mike Doyle. After spending part of the last two seasons between the Nailers, the Johnstown Chiefs, the SPHL Ashville Aces and the UHL Richmond Riverdogs, Downey may have found himself steady work in Wheeling, after signing on in December to fill a vacancy on the roster. In 14 games with the Nailers, Downey has a goal and two assists on a hard-working line. “From where I came before, it’s a big jump,” he said. “I know I have to give my all every night to keep up in this league. I may not have some of the gifts that the other guys have, but I know if I work hard, I can keep up, and hopefully make a name for myself in the league.”Hard work was never an issue with Downey. Despite being a junior and without tremendous size, the Central Catholic Vikings, who had 12 seniors at the time, selected him to be team captain for the 1997 season. They won the Penguin Cup that season, then went to the finals the following season.

Downey was captain of the Team Pittsburgh team that went to the Chicago Showcase finals in 1999 before losing to Team Illinois , and after playing a season with the NAHL Chicago Freeze, he played for Joe Battista’s Penn State Icers where he also became Captain, while the Icers won three consecutive National Championships and a runner-up finish.He finished his Penn State career with 57 goals, 102 assists and 159 points, and was selected to represent Penn State in the World College Hockey Championship during his senior year. Not too bad an accomplishment for a player that may at one time been considered too small to succeed at a higher level.

When Bill returned for his senior season after a summer camp, he had really grown,” said Zielmanski. “He grew not only in size, but he grew in his skills as well.” Today, Downey is listed at 6’1 and 180 pounds on the Nailers roster. He continues to play even bigger than his size. “I was not even sure if I was going to keep playing this year, but once I got here they gave me an opportunity and I’m trying to take advantage of it. Hopefully I can continue to play well and continue to help out the team.”

Downey has plenty of close company in Wheeling. He rejoins former Penn State Icer teammate Curtiss Patrick, and is also reunited with fellow Western Pennsylvanians, Cliff Loya and Mike Betz. “It’s been great,” he said. “We’ve all kept in touch with each other over the summertime, and throughout the year, we all want to know how each other is doing. It’s great to see all the Pittsburgh guys beginning to make a name for themselves, and give hockey in Pittsburgh a great name.”Downey will continue to come to play every night, and be prepared for the challenges ahead as the Nailers attempt to make a run for the playoffs and first place in the ECHL North. “The guys at this level just make better decisions, and each level that you go up you see that more,” said Downey. “They’re all just a little better with the puck.” Bill Downey has a history of being on teams that win championships. As he grows into his new role, maybe Wheeling will be the place for his next title.