A.J. Greer Bio
Anthony-John Greer, commonly known as A.J. Greer, is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 14, 1996, Greer was selected in the second round, 39th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing roughly 205 pounds, he has built a career on physical play and bottom-six reliability, eventually reaching the summit of the sport when he won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Anthony-John Greer was born on December 14, 1996, in Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, Quebec, Canada. He grew up playing minor ice hockey in the West Lanaudière region and represented his youth team at the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. His early development took place entirely within the province of Quebec, where he developed a reputation for combining size with a power-forward style of play.
As a teenager, Greer progressed into the midget ranks with Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix, helping the program capture a silver medal at the 2012 Telus Cup. During the 2011–12 QMAAA season, he produced 15 goals and 28 points in 42 games and scored the championship-winning goal. Looking to accelerate his path toward the NHL, he left Quebec to attend Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire, where he captained the team in his second season and led the squad in scoring with 24 goals and 63 points in 34 games. A brief stint with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League in 2013–14 further prepared him for the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Hockey
Greer committed to Boston University and joined the Terriers on acceleration in 2014–15, making his NCAA debut on October 10, 2014, against the University of Massachusetts and scoring a goal in that contest. Despite limited minutes early in the year, his size and physical approach earned him a spot on a scoring line by season’s end, helping Boston University finish as Hockey East regular-season champions and claim a Frozen Four berth.
After 18 games of his sophomore year, Greer departed the Terriers in December 2015 to join the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Placed on the top scoring line and serving as an alternate captain, he produced 16 goals in 33 regular-season games and added 22 points in 20 playoff contests, leading Rouyn-Noranda to the QMJHL Championship and a Memorial Cup final appearance. The strong finish cemented his standing as a legitimate NHL prospect heading into his draft year.
A.J. Greer Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Greer signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2016, and began his professional career with the American Hockey League’s San Antonio Rampage. He scored a goal in his professional debut on October 15, 2016, against the Milwaukee Admirals and quickly became a leading scorer among AHL rookies. His play earned him a first NHL recall on November 12, 2016, and he made his NHL debut the following night in a 2–0 loss to the Boston Bruins. He picked up his first NHL point with an assist on November 17, 2016, against the Dallas Stars, and was later selected to the AHL All-Star Game alongside Spencer Martin. His rookie season was capped by the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award as the AHL’s Man of the Year, honoring his contributions to the San Antonio community.
Greer scored his first NHL goal on February 20, 2019, jamming the puck past Connor Hellebuyck with 33.5 seconds remaining in a 7–1 Avalanche victory over the Winnipeg Jets. His time in the organization included a notable incident on October 19, 2019, when he received a 40-minute penalty and a six-game suspension for leaving the penalty box to fight Milwaukee Admirals defenseman Jarred Tinordi.
Journeyman Years (2020–2024)
On October 11, 2020, the Colorado Avalanche traded Greer to the New York Islanders in exchange for Kyle Burroughs, and he later agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the club. He began the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 campaign with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL before being dealt, along with Mason Jobst and draft picks, to the New Jersey Devils on April 7, 2021, as part of the package that sent Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac to Long Island. He was reassigned to the Binghamton Devils for the remainder of that season.
As a free agent, Greer signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract with the Boston Bruins on July 13, 2022. He was claimed off waivers by the Calgary Flames on October 9, 2023, and remained with the Flames for the duration of the 2023–24 campaign, matching his career high in points and recording six goals and 12 points across 59 appearances.
Florida Panthers Era (2024–Present)
Leaving Calgary as a free agent, Greer signed a two-year, $1.7 million contract with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2024, joining the reigning Stanley Cup champions. The move placed him in a depth role within a deep, contending roster, and he skated in a regular bottom-six capacity while contributing physical play and penalty killing. His first season in South Florida culminated in a Stanley Cup championship in 2025, the defining achievement of his professional career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Greer’s game is built on his 6-foot-3 frame and willingness to engage physically along the boards and in front of the net. Coaches have consistently deployed him in an energy role, valuing his forechecking, board work, and willingness to drop the gloves. While not a high-volume scorer, he has produced offense in bursts when given top-six opportunity, and his straight-line skating and straight-ahead style have made him a reliable depth option in playoff lineups.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Greer’s career include his first NHL goal against the Winnipeg Jets in 2019, his AHL Man of the Year recognition in San Antonio, a QMJHL Championship appearance with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and his 2025 Stanley Cup win with the Florida Panthers. He also completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Boston University in 2024, fulfilling a long-standing personal goal alongside his professional accomplishments.
A.J. Greer Career Highlights
While Greer is best known as a physical, depth forward rather than a top-line scorer, he has collected a steady string of accolades and milestones across multiple organizations. His most significant honors include a QMJHL Championship, the AHL’s Yanick Dupré Memorial Award, and a Stanley Cup ring with the Florida Panthers.
NHL and AHL Highlights
In the NHL, Greer has appeared for the Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, and Florida Panthers, gradually carving out a journeyman role at the top level. He scored his first NHL goal with the Avalanche in February 2019 and added his first NHL assist in November 2016. At the AHL level, he was a leading rookie scorer with the San Antonio Rampage and earned an All-Star selection in 2017.
Junior and Collegiate Performances
In junior hockey, Greer helped the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies capture the QMJHL Championship and reach the Memorial Cup final in 2016. At Boston University, he was part of a Hockey East regular-season championship team in 2014–15 and contributed three goals and seven points during his freshman campaign.
A.J. Greer Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Anthony-John Greer was raised in Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, Quebec, where his family supported his development through the province’s midget and minor hockey systems. He has been open about his struggles with mental health, crediting a sports psychologist with helping him manage the demands of professional hockey. Greer has also been an advocate for the NHL’s Bell Let’s Talk program, using his platform to encourage open conversations around mental wellness.
Education and Off-Ice Life
Greer completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Boston University in 2024, finishing the degree he had paused when he left the program to turn professional. On July 7, 2019, he and former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sonny Milano were arrested in New York City in connection with an alleged assault; the charges were dropped in January 2020 after both players completed community service and paid the victim’s medical expenses.
2025 Season Performance
Greer’s 2024–25 campaign with the Florida Panthers marked his first full season in Sunrise and produced the crowning achievement of his career. Operating primarily in a fourth-line, energy role, he provided physicality, penalty killing, and depth scoring while helping the Panthers defend their status as Stanley Cup champions. His reliability as a bottom-six contributor earned him a consistent spot in the playoff lineup as Florida advanced through the postseason.
The Panthers ultimately captured the 2025 Stanley Cup, with Greer lifting the trophy as a full-time NHL player for the first time. The championship run validated his decision to sign with Florida as a free agent and solidified his standing as a trusted depth piece on a contender.
Looking ahead, Greer remains under contract through the 2025–26 season on his two-year, $1.7 million deal. With a Stanley Cup ring already in hand, his role in 2025–26 is expected to remain largely unchanged: bring energy, finish checks, kill penalties, and support a Panthers group with designs on repeating as champions.