A.J. Greer only played five games with the Avalanche last season and scored one point, but his tenacious style and competitive spirit quickly made him a favorite among Avs fans — and made him someone management and the coaching staff would have to keep an eye on.
A power forward who has the skill to be a true offensive threat, but also loves the physical side of the game, Greer has an all-around exciting style that would make hockey in the 1990s crack a toothless smile. The competitive fire he has inside provides the fuel for his physical play, while his skill and smarts do the steering.
“It’s important to be competitive and not let anyone beat you in anything, whether it’s on the ice or off the ice,” Greer stated. “I hate losing in whatever it is; it’s just my mentality and how I was brought up.”
“For me, it’s always been the physical play and the offensive ability. I’ve always been the biggest guy, and so I try to bring that to the table and put that on my side. Without that physicality, I don’t know if I’d be here, so it’s something I have to do and I have to keep doing to succeed.”
Due to the amount of players that were fighting to make this season’s 23-man roster, it was unclear whether or not Greer would have a roster spot with the Avalanche heading into training camp. His style of play last season certainly left an impression with the organization and the 20-year-old forward was a preseason-favorite to make the team. A concussion he sustained in a fight during the preseason made Colorado’s decision easier as Greer was due to miss several weeks.
A.J. Greer was at a point where he had to prove that his style of play was a worthy commodity for the Avalanche, however, it was his style of play that prevented him from doing so.
“It was frustrating obviously you prepare yourself the whole off-season for this moment,” Greer commented. “But it’s part of the game and you’ve just got to learn how to bounce back and come even stronger.”
At times, Greer worried his injury caused his opportunity of making the everyday-roster to slip away as his concussion made him unable to compete for his spot. As today’s hockey culture regarding head injuries has become more educated and cautious, Greer also knew he had to be patient.
“It’s always a worry,” Greer said. “Especially when you’re up here an you want to make a mark and make the team and then you get injured. It’s important to stick to the plan and look at the big picture. Two or three weeks isn’t worth risking injuries for your whole life especially with your head.”
Following a couple of AHL games with the San Antonio Rampage to start the year, Greer is eager to begin his NHL season.
“I feel great coming back from two games in the AHL, went really well. Condition-wise, I think I feel really good, so its just a matter of execution, you know, getting the butterflies out of your system and playing the right way.”
“I have shown them a little bit what I could do last year, it’s just a matter of bringing that energy and bringing that game again towards this year, staying positive and doing the right things.”
A.J. Greer and his brand of hockey are set to make their season debut. The plethora of forward injuries for the Avalanche make it clear that Greer will be an everyday player for the foreseeable future, assuming his aggressive play doesn’t land him on the injured reserve list, as well.
Greer has a style that fills a void in in the Avalanche depth. The only unknown is whether or not he is ready to permanently produce at the NHL level with both physicality and point production. While the physical side may be his focus for now, having both qualities would prove A.J. Greer to be one of Colorado’s strongest organizational assets.