2016 Top 25 Avalanche under 25: #10 A.J. Greer

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The 2016 top 25 Avalanche players under 25 continues today with the spotlight on #10, A.J. Greer. He finished the BSN poll with a 10.7 rating, with three writers placing him at 10th, three at 11th and a single placement at 12th. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche this summer. The question for Greer seems to be how big a jump will he make this season?

Who is A.J. Greer?

Acquired as the 39th overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, Greer elected to try his hand in the NCAA, going to Boston University. Prior to attending Boston University, he played two years at Kimball Union Academy and did a brief a stint playing for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers.

While Greer skated in 37 games as a scholarship player his freshman year at Boston, his sophomore year became more of a challenge as they relegated him mostly to third line minutes, playing more of a defensive forward role. Greer elected to leave at the end of the fall semester after playing 18 games, joining the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior League.

While playing for the Huskies, Greer appeared to re-discover his style of play as well as his joy of hockey. The 6’3” 205-pound left wing helped the Huskies to win the 2016 Quebec Major Junior champions’ President cup. He earned 27 points in 33 regular season games, followed by 22 tallies in 20 playoff contests, and finished with another two points out of five games during the Memorial Cup tournament where the Huskies finished second.

What is the future for A.J. Greer?

One of the most interesting things about Greer rests on his ability to combine a genial intensity with a fierce competitiveness. During summer development camp, he brought his best effort to every drill, every scrimmage, never letting up. Over time, some players could resent a guy who approaches the 30th-speed skating drill with the same intensity as the first one.

However, Greer managed to make everyone laugh, encouraged his teammates and generally brought an attitude that shifted the atmosphere. He exhibited an excellent work ethic, which could propel him further and quicker than one would expect of a 19-year-old with his background.

Greer brings an interesting combination of size, energy, and speed to the forward position and could fit in nicely on the Avalanche team down the road. The big question now – where will he start his season? Because of his age, he can return to the Huskies for another year of seasoning and development or he could fight his way to a San Antonio Rampage roster spot, depending on how well he does during training camp. He could also start as a Husky and earn his way onto the Rampage roster as a mid-season injury replacement.

While the upcoming training camps will determine where A.J. Greer will start this season, his drive and determination will likely dictate how quickly he moves up the ranks. A.J. Greer could very well be one of those catalyst players the Avalanche have been looking for to help bring the pieces together and propel the team forward.