Miami senior Andy Greene signs with New Jersey Devils.

FalconBlue · Post by **FalconBlue** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:51 pm

April 4, 2006 - From College Hockey News.

Greene Signs With Devils
CHN Staff Report

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Miami senior Andy Greene, the CCHA offensive and defensive defenseman of the year and a Hobey Baker Award finalist, has signed a free agent contract with the NHL's New Jersey Devils. The deal was for two years.

Greene will report to the Devils immediately and as per NHL regulations as an undrafted player, is eligible to play in regular-season games only this season.

Greene will spend the remainder of the season with New Jersey and cannot be assigned to the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Albany. It is not known if he will be in the lineup on April 5 when New Jersey hosts Pittsburgh.

"I don't think it has quite sunk in yet, but it is definitely a dream come true," said Greene. "I am looking forward to getting on the ice and trying to help the Devils win games."

Greene finished his collegiate career as arguably the best defenseman to ever skate in a Miami uniform; he was just the fourth blueliner in program history to pass the 100-point plateau, with 27-87—114. He finished his career as Miami's all-time leader in games played and consecutive games played, appearing in all 159 games during his time in Oxford.

Serving as one of Miami's captains for his final three seasons, Greene led the RedHawks to two NCAA tournament appearances. A native of Trenton, Mich., Greene became the first player in the history of the CCHA to earn both the league's Best Offensive and Defensive Defenseman awards in the same season.

"This is something that Andy has been working toward for a long time and his hard work has paid off," said Miami coach Enrico Blasi. "I have all the confidence that (he) will be a successful player at the next level (and) we couldn't be more proud of him. Our whole program is behind him as he takes the next step in his career."

A CCHA All-Rookie Team selection following the 2002-03 season, Greene went on to become the first defenseman since Michigan State's Don McSween (1985-87) to earn All-CCHA First-Team honors in three consecutive seasons and is just the sixth player in league annals to accomplish the feat.

Bleeding Orange · Post by **Bleeding Orange** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:15 pm

GOOD FOR ANDY!!!

On top of being one of the best players in the CCHA, Andy has been one of the classiest players in the conference throughout his career. Best of luck to him!