A. J. Greer

Anthony-John "A. J." Greer (born 14 December 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Colorado Eagles 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.

A. J. Greer
Born (1996-12-14) 14 December 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
Colorado Eagles (AHL)
NHL Draft 39th overall, 2015
Colorado Avalanche
Playing career 2016–present

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 10 October 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 19 December 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 1 July 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 15 October 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 12 November 2016.[13] He made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in a 2–0 defeat to the Boston Bruins on 13 November 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 17 November 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 7 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 20 February 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]

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 — — — — —
NHL totals 37 1 5 6 47 — — — — —

Awards and honours
Award Year
AHL
All-Star Game 2017 [16]
Yanick Dupre Memorial Award 2017 [17]
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References
  1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  2. "A.J. Greer player biography and profile". Colorado Avalanche. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. "Buccaneers weekly release". bucshockey.com. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  4. hockeycommits (6 January 2014). "Hockey commitments listed". Twitter. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  5. "Terriers score 6 in final period to defeat UMass in season opener". Daily Free Press. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  6. "Greer brings grit to Boston University second line and goals follow". USCHO.com. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  7. "A. J. Greer leaves Boston University to play in QMJHL". Denver Post. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  8. "BU Hockey roster takes another hit". Boston Globe. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  9. "Greer, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies advance run to Memorial Cup". National Hockey League. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  10. "Avalanche signs A. J. Greer". Colorado Avalanche. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  11. "Avalanche reduces roster to 30". Colorado Avalanche. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  12. "Admirals open season with win over Rampage". American Hockey League. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  13. "Avalanche recall forward A.J. Greer". San Antonio Rampage. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  14. "Silver lining: A. J. Greer makes solid debut". Denver Post. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  15. "Eaves caps 3 goal 1st period in win over Avalanche". CBS Sports. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  16. "A.J. Greer and Spencer Martin selected to All-Star Game". San Antonio Rampage. 5 January 2017. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  17. "Rampage's Greer named AHL Man of the Year". American Hockey League. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  18. "Colorado Avalanche Forward AJ Greer Scores 1st NHL Goal". 21 February 2019.
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