Meet the Devs: D #6 Andy Greene

Andy Greene has become one of, if not THE core defenseman for the New Jersey Devils. With the loss of Colin White, Greene will have to step it up even more to be the Devils' top veteran D-man. On a personal note, I really disliked Andy in his first year with NJ. I felt he made a lot of rookie mistakes but soon he bacame one of my favorite Devils. An accurate, easily defected slapshot from the point has made him a valuable asset for Jersey's team on offense as well as defense.

Andy grew up on Trenton. No, not Trenton, NJ but Trenton, MI. He attended Miami University. No, not Miami, FL but Miami, OH. I'm starting to see a pattern here.

He was signed out college to be sent to the Lowell Devils. When Johnny Oduya was injured, Andy was called up to play for New Jersey. He played 23 games with New Jersey scoring one goal, his first ever NHL goal. He was sent back to Lowell when Oduya returned however he was recalled once again when Colin White went down with an injury. When White returned it was playoff time which meant the salary cap didn't apply making Greene eligable to play in NJ. He played in all 11 games of the playoffs that year. When Richard Matvichuk retruned from injury everyone thought Andy would be scratched however Coach Julien felt Andy had played so well he would not scratch him and instead put Johnny Oduya on the shelf. Greene scored three points that playoff year with two goals and an assist.

Over the next two seasons Andy would be a part-time starter, playing in 59 games in 2008 and 49 in 2009. But then, in the 2009-10 season Andy started out as a helthy scratch once again only being brought up on emergency a few days into the season. He completely revamped his style of play and scored a career high 6 goals and 31 assists that year becoming a full-time starter.

The following season in the 2010-11 campaign, Andy Greene remained a top D-man for the Devils. He finished 6th on the team in scoring and 1st among defenseman. He scored four goals and added 19 assists for a total of 23 points on the year.

He enters the 2011-12 season most likely the top defenseman on the top line. I'm sure all Devil fans like me are excited to see Andy shine once again ina new year.