A.J. Greer

A.J. Greer
Born (1996-12-14) December 14, 1996
Joliette, 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 (P)
Cur. team		 Colorado Avalanche
San Antonio Rampage (AHL)
NHL Draft 39th overall, 2015
Colorado Avalanche
Playing career 2016–present

Anthony-John "A.J." Greer (born December 14, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He is currently playing for the San Antonio Rampage in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 39th overall, by the Avalanche in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Amateur

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.[1] 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.[2]

Having previously committed with Boston University, Greer would begin his collegiate career on acceleration in the 2014–15 season.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] He made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in a 2-0 defeat to the Boston Bruins on November 13, 2016.[13] Upon 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.[14]

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
QMJHL totals 33 16 11 27 57 20 12 10 22 28

References

  1. ↑ "A.J. Greer player biography and profile". Colorado Avalanche. 2016-11-12. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  2. ↑ "Buccaneers weekly release". bucshockey.com. 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  3. ↑ hockeycommits (2014-01-06). "Hockey commitments listed". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  4. ↑ "Terriers score 6 in final period to defeat UMass in season opener". Daily Free Press. 2014-10-10. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  5. ↑ "Greer brings grit to Boston University second line and goals follow". USCHO.com. 2015-04-09. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  6. ↑ "A. J. Greer leaves Boston University to play in QMJHL". Denver Post. 2015-12-19. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  7. ↑ "BU Hockey roster takes another hit". Boston Globe. 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  8. ↑ "Greer, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies advance run to Memorial Cup". National Hockey League. 2016-05-28. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
  9. ↑ "Avalanche signs A. J. Greer". Colorado Avalanche. 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  10. ↑ "Avalanche reduces roster to 30". Colorado Avalanche. 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  11. ↑ "Admirals open season with win over Rampage". American Hockey League. 2016-10-15. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  12. ↑ "Avalanche recall forward A.J. Greer". San Antonio Rampage. 2016-11-12. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  13. ↑ "Silver lining: A. J. Greer makes solid debut". Denver Post. 2016-11-13. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  14. ↑ "Eaves caps 3 goal 1st period in win over Avalanche". CBS Sports. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2016-11-17.

External links

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