Get to Know Ducks’ New Forward AJ Greer

As part of the Anaheim Ducks’ opening moves at the start of the free agency period, they signed forward AJ Greer to a four-year contract worth $4.25 million average annual value (AAV). The signing came after the team traded the rights to negotiate with defenseman Radko Gudas to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the rights to negotiate with Greer. Each player signed with their respective teams in the deal.

Amateur and Minor Leagues

29-year-old Greer grew up playing hockey in his home province of Quebec before pursuing junior hockey in the United States and enrolling in Kimball Union Academy. In his second season, he served as captain and led the team with 24 goals and 63 points. He also played very briefly in the United States Hockey League (USHL), scoring two goals in two games with the Des Moines Buccaneers.

His name was truly established when he committed to Boston University in 2014-15. He played as the youngest forward in the NCAA and scored in his debut collegiate game. He looked solid and became increasingly confident in his offensive abilities, finishing his freshman season with three goals and four assists.

Unfortunately, his sophomore season was not nearly as successful, and he opted to join the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for further development. He was much more successful at that level, amassing 27 points in 33 games and helping the team win the QMJHL Championship and move on to the Memorial Cup.

Professional Career

The Colorado Avalanche selected Greer in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft. He began his professional career with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he was highly successful. He had 38 points in 63 games and was chosen for the AHL All-Star Game in his rookie season. Additionally, he was awarded the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award for his off-ice community contributions.

He played three seasons split between the Avalanche and their AHL affiliate team. At the NHL level, he amassed six points across 37 games and scored his first NHL goal. He was traded to the New York Islanders in 2020, but played only 10 games with their AHL team. Later that season, he was dealt to the New Jersey Devils and played at both the AHL and NHL levels. He had a successful stint with New Jersey’s AHL team — across 69 games, he totaled 66 points and a plus-10 rating. At the NHL level, however, he had just two points in nine games.