Downie played junior hockey for the Regina Falcons in 1925-26 then moved to the west coast to play for the senior Vancouver Monarchs. He turned pro with the Victoria Cubs in 1928 and played for the Portland Buckaroos for three seasons. Downie then moved east to play for the Syracuse Stars. While there he was loaned to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1932-33 where he played 11 games, scoring one assist. He was coach of the Tacoma Rockets in 1946-47 and of the Seattle Ironmen from 1948 to 1950.