Coby Downs has had a different hockey story. It’s not one you typically see in any Canadian town. It didn’t start with him venturing out of bed and into the bristling cold arena during the winter, nor did it begin with learning how to skate on a fresh patch of ice.
For him, it all started in sunny Montclair, California, on roller skates. At three years of age, his natural talent on the blades quickly found an audience, which made the transition to the ice an easy one.
“Roller hockey is a really big thing in California,” Downs said. “Mostly every ice hockey player starts with roller hockey. After two, three years of roller I got asked to play ice, so then I played both.”
His parents, Corina Terrero and Derrick Downs, weren’t sure what the sport of hockey was until their son strapped on a helmet, but are supportive of Coby and his endeavours.
“Everyone didn’t understand why I had to travel at first. Especially going to other states, but most of my family see that I’m here and really enjoying it.”
Regardless of the travel, hockey is something he fell in love with instantly. Not just the sport itself, but with the friendships he's making along the way.
“Being around the guys, going to each other’s houses to play mini hockey, it was a lot of fun. Still is a lot of fun, especially seeing my old buddies in the summer.” Downs said.
Even though he is in North Battleford, a community in which he is ecstatic about playing hockey for, he does miss some parts of his hometown.
“I miss my family and hanging out with them every weekend and just watching football together. There are some food places that are really great that I’m dying for, for when I go back.”
So how did a California kid make it all the way to the Battlefords? His former team, the AAA Ontario Avalanche, attended the prestigious AAA Midget Mac’s Tournament in Calgary, in which Downs led all scorers through the round robin with six goals and four assists.
“Some of the guys from North Battleford talked to me and wanted me to come to camp. They talked to me a lot and seemed really interested.” Downs continues, “When I came here I was going to be coached by Reed [Delainey] and I literally thought he was the coolest kid. He committed to division one at the same age as me, and now I have a chance of playing with him. Plus everyone is nice here. Just a great place to play.”
Delainey has committed to the Rochester Institute of Technology, an NCAA division one school, and is an assistant captain for the North Stars.
Nineteen-year-old Downs has team oriented goals, which are his priority, but he also has aspirations of going to school to play elite hockey.
“I want to play division one, earn a scholarship and play back in the states in a few years. My plan is to work every day I’m here and get better, be the best player I can be on the rink and off the rink.”
When it comes to this season of North Stars hockey, Downs and the rest of his teammates mean business.
“I think we’re the best team this year,” the centreman said of the SJHL’s top club. “If we play how we’re capable of, then no one can beat us. Our end goal is to win the league, then the RBC Cup. I feel like if we don’t win RBC then we didn’t earn what we are all here for.”
The Royal Bank Cup is Canada’s national junior A championships, which consists of three regional champions, the Western runner-up and the host team. It will be played from May 14 to 22 in Lloydminster this year. The North Stars will have to win the Canalta Cup in order to qualify.
The six-foot, 185-pound forward is a big part of the North Stars success this season, registering 11 goals and 12 assists over 24 games played thus far. He is 15th in the SJHL in scoring, which he credits to his confidence on the ice.
“I feel like I can make passes and plays most players can’t. I can slow the game down in my head.” Downs said.
His biography on Twitter reads “just trying to play some hockey.” Although he has come a long way from Montclair to do so, it will pay dividends for this young man's future, which may foresee him hoisting the RBC Cup.
