A. J. Greer
AHL (32559951426).jpg
Greer with the San Antonio Rampage in 2017
Born (1996-12-14) December 14, 1996
Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Calgary Flames
Colorado Avalanche
New Jersey Devils
Boston Bruins
NHL Draft 39th overall, 2015
Colorado Avalanche
Playing career 2016–present

Anthony-John Greer (born December 14, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 39th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Amateur

Greer played minor ice hockey in West Lanaudière, and participated in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with his youth team.[1]

Greer first played midget hockey within Quebec helping Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix to a silver medal finish in the 2012 Telus Cup. In the QMAAA, Greer contributed with 15 goals and 28 points in 42 games in the 2011–12 season, including scoring the game-winning goal to capture the Championship.[2] He left his native Quebec to pursue a junior career in the United States, enrolling with Kimball Union Academy of New Hampshire. In his second scholastic season with Kimball, Greer captained the hockey side, and led the team in scoring with 24 goals and 63 points in just 34 games. In the 2013–14 season, Greer enjoyed a brief stint in the United States Hockey League with the Des Moines Buccaneers, recording 2 goals in as many games.[3]

Having previously committed with Boston University, Greer would begin his collegiate career on acceleration in the 2014–15 season.[4] In his freshman year, playing as the youngest forward in the NCAA, Greer made his collegiate debut and scored a goal on October 10, 2014, against the University of Massachusetts.[5] Initially placed in a depth forward role, Greer saw his icetime increase by seasons end, using his size and physical play earning a place on a scoring line in the post-season.[6] Greer contributed with 3 goals and 7 points in 37 games as the Terriers finished as regular season champions and claimed the Hockey East mantle to clinch a Frozen Four berth.

In his sophomore year, Greer anticipated an increased role for the 2015–16 season.[7] Unable to produce offensively and un-willing to accept reduced minutes in a checking-line role, Greer opted to leave the Terriers after 18 games to further his development in his native Quebec, with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL on December 19, 2015.[8] In joining the top ranked Huskies, Greer immediately made an impact offensively, contributing with 16 goals in the final 33 regular season games. Placed on the top scoring line in the post-season and serving as an alternate captain, Greer posted 22 points in just 20 games as the Huskies captured the QMJHL Championship before losing in the Memorial Cup final.[9]

Professional

In continuing his unorthodox development path, Greer signalled the end of his brief QMJHL career to turn professional in signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2016.[10] After attending his first training camp with the Avalanche and eligible to compete in the American Hockey League, Greer was assigned to begin his rookie season with affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.[11] In the 2016–17 season, Greer made his professional debut with the Rampage, scoring a goal in a 2–1 defeat to the Milwaukee Admirals on October 15, 2016.[12] Making a seamless transition to the professional level, Greer was leading the Rampage and all AHL rookies in scoring before he received his first recall to the Colorado Avalanche on November 12, 2016.[13] He made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in a 2–0 defeat to the Boston Bruins on November 13, 2016.[14] Following a brief return to San Antonio, Greer returned to record his first NHL point, an assist on a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, in a 3–2 loss to the Dallas Stars on November 17, 2016.[15]

After his fifth game with the Avalanche, Greer was returned to the Rampage and continued his scoring pace, earning a rookie record with an assist in seven straight games, tying a franchise record for all skaters. He was selected alongside Spencer Martin as San Antonio's representatives at the AHL All-Star Game.[16] As the team struggled down the stretch of the regular season, Greer appeared in 63 games for 38 points before injury concluded his rookie season. His contributions off the ice to the San Antonio community were recognized as he was awarded the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award as the AHL's Man of the Year.[17]

Greer scored his first NHL on February 20, 2019, when he scored the last goal in the Avalanche's 7–1 win against the Winnipeg Jets. With 33.5 seconds left, Greer jammed the puck in against Connor Hellebuyck.[18]

On October 19, 2019, in a game against the Milwaukee Admirals, Greer was assessed 40 minutes of penalty time and suspended for six games after he left the penalty box to fight Admiral's defenseman, Jarred Tinordi. [19]

Greer as a member of the Calgary Flames in 2023.

On October 11, 2020, having been unable to cement a role in the NHL with the Avalanche and looking for more opportunity, Greer was traded by Colorado to the New York Islanders in exchange for Kyle Burroughs.[20] As a restricted free agent, Greer agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders on October 27, 2020.[21] In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Greer was assigned by the Islanders to AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In a slow start to the season, Greer posted just one goal and two points in 10 games with the Sound Tigers before he was traded by the Islanders, along with Mason Jobst, a 2021 first-round draft selection and a conditional 2022 fourth-round pick to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac on April 7, 2021.[22] He was immediately reassigned to continue in the AHL with the Binghamton Devils.

As a free agent from the Devils, Greer was signed to a two-year, $1.5 million contract to join the Boston Bruins on July 13, 2022.[23]

The Calgary Flames claimed Greer off of waivers from the Boston Bruins on October 9, 2023. [24]

Personal life

Greer has been very upfront about his struggles with his mental health and emphasis that seeing a sports psychologist has helped him. He has also been an advocate for the NHL's "BellLetsTalk," program.[25]

On July 7, 2019, Greer and then Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sonny Milano, were arrested in New York City for alleged assault. The alleged assault was reportedly over the victim demanding money after getting Greer and Milano table service at a NYC night club.[26] Greer was not required to be present for his court date on September 4 and the charges were subsequently dropped in January 2020 after Greer and Milano paid an undisclosed amount for the victims medical bills and completed community service.[19][26]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix QMAAA 42 15 13 28 75 13 7 3 10 4
2012–13 Kimball Union Academy USHS 30 16 19 35 10 — — — — —
2013–14 Kimball Union Academy USHS 34 24 39 63 18 — — — — —
2013–14 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 2 2 1 3 2 — — — — —
2014–15 Boston University HE 37 3 4 7 18 — — — — —
2015–16 Boston University HE 18 1 4 5 10 — — — — —
2015–16 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies QMJHL 33 16 11 27 57 20 12 10 22 28
2016–17 San Antonio Rampage AHL 63 15 23 38 78 — — — — —
2016–17 Colorado Avalanche NHL 5 0 1 1 4 — — — — —
2017–18 San Antonio Rampage AHL 35 8 5 13 34 — — — — —
2017–18 Colorado Avalanche NHL 17 0 3 3 29 — — — — —
2018–19 Colorado Eagles AHL 54 19 25 44 63 4 0 3 3 9
2018–19 Colorado Avalanche NHL 15 1 1 2 14 — — — — —
2019–20 Colorado Eagles AHL 47 16 16 32 87 — — — — —
2020–21 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 10 1 1 2 8 — — — — —
2020–21 Binghamton Devils AHL 16 4 10 14 8 — — — — —
2020–21 New Jersey Devils NHL 1 0 0 0 7 — — — — —
2021–22 Utica Comets AHL 53 22 30 52 102 5 6 2 8 2
2021–22 New Jersey Devils NHL 9 1 1 2 2 — — — — —
2022–23 Boston Bruins NHL 61 5 7 12 114 — — — — —
NHL totals 108 7 13 20 170 — — — — —

Awards and honours

Award Year
AHL
All-Star Game 2017 [16]
Yanick Dupre Memorial Award 2017 [17]

References

  1. ↑ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  2. ↑ "A.J. Greer player biography and profile". Colorado Avalanche. November 12, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Buccaneers weekly release". bucshockey.com. November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  4. ↑ hockeycommits (January 6, 2014). "Hockey commitments listed". Twitter. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Terriers score 6 in final period to defeat UMass in season opener". Daily Free Press. October 10, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Greer brings grit to Boston University second line and goals follow". USCHO.com. April 9, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ "A. J. Greer leaves Boston University to play in QMJHL". Denver Post. December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  8. ↑ "BU Hockey roster takes another hit". Boston Globe. December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Greer, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies advance run to Memorial Cup". National Hockey League. May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Avalanche signs A. J. Greer". Colorado Avalanche. July 1, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Avalanche reduces roster to 30". Colorado Avalanche. October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Admirals open season with win over Rampage". American Hockey League. October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Avalanche recall forward A.J. Greer". San Antonio Rampage. November 12, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Silver lining: A. J. Greer makes solid debut". Denver Post. November 13, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Eaves caps 3 goal 1st period in win over Avalanche". CBS Sports. November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  16. 1 2 "A.J. Greer and Spencer Martin selected to All-Star Game". San Antonio Rampage. January 5, 2017. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Rampage's Greer named AHL Man of the Year". American Hockey League. April 11, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Colorado Avalanche Forward AJ Greer Scores 1st NHL Goal". milehighsticking.com. February 21, 2019.
  19. 1 2 "More trouble for Aj greer". milehighsticking.com. October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Islanders acquire Greer From Colorado". New York Islanders. October 11, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Islanders sign Greer, Ho-Sang to contracts". New York Islanders. October 27, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Devils make deal with the Islanders". New Jersey Devils. April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Bruins sign five players on opening day of Free Agency". Boston Bruins. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Flames Claim AJ Greer Off Waivers". Calgary Flames. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  25. ↑ "milehighhockey.com". milehighhockey.com. November 6, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  26. 1 2 "NHL Players' Assault Charges Dismissed". lexology.com. January 23, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
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