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Colorado Avalanche Forward AJ Greer Scores 1st NHL Goal

By Nadia Archuleta

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 20: A.J. Greer #24 of the Colorado Avalanche poses with his first NHL goal puck against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center on February 20, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 20: A.J. Greer #24 of the Colorado Avalanche poses with his first NHL goal puck against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center on February 20, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Another Colorado Avalanche youngster, AJ Greer, scored his first NHL goal in the team’s 7-1 blowout of the Winnipeg Jets.

Colorado Avalanche forward A. J. Greer’s hardwork and perseverance were finally rewarded tonight when he scored his first NHL goal.

The 22-year-old forward was the Avalanche’s second pick of the 2015 NHL Draft, being chosen #39 in the second round. Greer signed his entry-level contract on July 1, 2016. However, in the ensuing 2 1/2 years, he’s accumulated only 34 games’ worth of NHL experience, usually averaging around 7 minutes of playing time.

In the AHL, Greer has really grown as a player. He started out as an enforcer style of player. Now, though he’ll still play a tough game, he’s more of a points producer — the forward has 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 34 games.

At the NHL level, success was eluding him. While 34 games isn’t a lot in 2 1/2 years, it’s a long time to go before scoring your first goal. Prior to tonight, he had just five assists.

Well, that finally changed for Greer tonight. The Colorado Avalanche handed the Winnipeg Jets an absolute blowout of a loss — 7-1. Seven different Avalanche players scored, and one of those players was Greer.

He did, in fact, deliver the coupe de grace, the seventh goal.

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The goal came in the waning seconds of the third period. Despite the lateness of the time, the Avalanche players were still (inexplicably) putting pressure on the Jets. Just as inexplicably, Connor Hellebuyck was still in net despite allowing six goals already. (But that’s for Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice to explain.)

So, as noted, the Avs players are buzzing around in the Jets’ zone. Defenseman Ryan Graves, who scored his first NHL goal not so long ago, receives the puck. He passes to J.T. Compher, who skates behind the net. He whips around the corner, but rather than try a wraparound — which Hellebuyck would have stopped — he dishes the puck to Greer.

Greer is doing what smart forwards do — he’s driving the net. Good things happen when skaters drive the net. Here’s the good thing that happened:

He jams that puck on home. It may not be a highlight-reel goal, but it’s a tally that will play in constant highlight reel in A.J.’s mind. His first NHL goal.

Of course, since captain Gabriel Landeskog was on the bench, Greer got anointed with the water in the face. However, defenseman Patrik Nemeth, who was on the ice at the time of the landmark goal, effected his own celebratory congratulations — facewashing Greer with his smelly glove. A.J., flying high, certainly didn’t seem to mind.

I’m always so excited to see players score their first NHL goals. You always remember your first, and it’s fun to see these young men so euphoric in their accomplishment.

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Graves, Andrew Agozzino, Dominic Toninato, and Sheldon Dries have all scored their first NHL goals this season for the Colorado Avalanche. The kids really are growing up together.

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