Andy Greene

Andrew Greene (born October 30, 1982) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), primarily for the New Jersey Devils, with whom he served as team captain.

Andy Greene
Greene with the New Jersey Devils in 2014
Born (1982-10-30) October 30, 1982 (age 41)
Trenton, Michigan, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
PositionDefense
ShotLeft
Played forNew Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
National team United States
NHL draftUndrafted
Playing career2006–2022

Playing career

College

Greene attended and played hockey at Miami University for the RedHawks men's ice hockey team. He was signed as an undrafted NHL free agent by the New Jersey Devils in 2006 and was assigned to the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Lowell Devils, after New Jersey's training camp. He excelled at the AHL level, making the PlanetUSA All-Star Team.[1]

New Jersey Devils

Greene with the Devils during the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals

During his rookie professional season in 2006–07, Greene was called-up to the NHL for a short stint to replace the injured Johnny Oduya. Though Greene played well and showed considerable promise,[according to whom?] he was reassigned to Lowell upon Oduya's return. Later in the season, he was again recalled when Colin White was injured. When the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs began, the NHL salary cap no longer applied, allowing the Devils to add Greene to their permanent roster. With the return of injured defenseman Richard Matvichuk, it appeared as though Greene would sit. However, an injury to Colin White allowed Greene to remain on the roster. During this period, Greene played so well that, upon White's return, Oduya was scratched instead of Greene.

On July 1, 2011, Greene signed a new four-year, $14 million contract with the Devils.[2]

On July 30, 2014, Greene signed a new five-year, $25 million contract with the Devils.[3]

Before the start of the 2015–16 season, Greene was named the Devils' captain, following the retirement of incumbent captain Bryce Salvador.[4]

The following season, Greene injured his hand in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, resulting in him losing his streak of 350 consecutive NHL games played.[5] His streak was the third-longest in Devils history, behind those of Travis Zajac and Ken Daneyko.[5] At the conclusion of the season, Greene was the Devils' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who best shows perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.[6]

New York Islanders and retirement

During the 2019–20 season, on February 16, 2020, Greene was traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for David Quenneville [fi] and a 2021 second-round pick. The move came following 14 seasons with the club. The trade reunited Greene with Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello, who was general manager of the Devils in 2006 when Greene signed with the club.[7] Greene scored his first playoff goal in 10 years during the Islanders' second round series against the Philadelphia Flyers. His previous playoff goal was in 2010, also against the Flyers.

On January 11, 2021, Greene was signed to a reported one-year, $700,000 extension with the Islanders.[8][9]

On November 16, 2021, Greene played his 1000th NHL game.[10]

After going unsigned in the 2022–23 offseason, Greene announced his retirement on October 12, 2022, signing a one-day contract to retire with the Devils. [11]

Personal life

Greene has three older brothers, David, Matt, and Shawn, all of whom played hockey. Greene was born prematurely on the way to his brother's hockey game.[12]

Greene and his wife Rachel have two sons, Colton and Maddox.[12][13] During the off-season, Greene returns to his hometown and organizes a hockey skills school called Andy Greene Hockey School.[14][15]

Greene's former high school, Trenton High School, officially retired his number in 2012.[16]

Greene holds a degree in education from Miami University.[12] In 2019, he was inducted into the Miami Athletics Hall of Fame.[17]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2000–01Detroit Compuware AmbassadorsNAHL547243160
2001–02Detroit Compuware AmbassadorsNAHL5316294588
2002–03Miami UniversityCCHA414192364
2003–04Miami UniversityCCHA417192678
2004–05Miami UniversityCCHA387273466
2005–06Miami UniversityCCHA399223148
2006–07Lowell DevilsAHL525162128
2006–07New Jersey DevilsNHL231566112132
2007–08New Jersey DevilsNHL5928102220000
2008–09New Jersey DevilsNHL492792230110
2009–10New Jersey DevilsNHL78631371451126
2010–11New Jersey DevilsNHL824192322
2011–12New Jersey DevilsNHL561151616240118
2012–13New Jersey DevilsNHL484121620
2013–14New Jersey DevilsNHL828243232
2014–15New Jersey DevilsNHL823192220
2015–16New Jersey DevilsNHL82491326
2016–17New Jersey DevilsNHL6649138
2017–18New Jersey DevilsNHL81310132150226
2018–19New Jersey DevilsNHL825202516
2019–20New Jersey DevilsNHL53291114
2019–20New York IslandersNHL1003322122412
2020–21New York IslandersNHL551456190118
2021–22New York IslandersNHL69281010
NHL totals1,0575221226427790591442

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2010United StatesWC13th60220
Senior totals60220

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
All-CCHA Rookie Team2002–03
All-CCHA First Team2003–04[18]
CCHA All-Tournament Team2004, 2006[19]
All-CCHA First Team2004–05[18]
AHCA West Second-Team All-American2004–05
All-CCHA First Team2005–06[18]
AHCA West First-Team All-American2005–06

References

Awards and achievements
Preceded by CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman
2005, 2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman
2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by New Jersey Devils captain
201520
Succeeded by