It
ain't easy beating Greene: the Miami defenseman owns a
career plus-minus rating of +19..
Key
Statistics: Followed up a 23-point effort in his
first season at Miami with seven goals and 19 assists for
the RedHawks last year. In two seasons, Greene boasts a combined
plus-minus rating of +19. He was named to the CCHA All-Rookie
Team as a freshman and in 2003-04 was an All-CCHA first team
selection and earned a spot on the league's all-tournament
team.
What He Does: There are CCHA defensemen with
higher profiles, but the undrafted Greene is the league's
best all-around blueliner. Greene, who'll turn 22 the day
before Halloween, sees loads of ice time and keys the RedHawks'
top power-play and penalty-killing units. A better skater
than he's given credit for, Greene is a smart, mobile rearguard
who can spark the team by blocking shots, delivering crushing
hits or creating opportunities for teammates on offense.
The Bigger Picture: On the basis of skill
alone, Greene is likely to repeat as an all-conference first-teamer
and should receive serious consideration for All-America honors.
But his most important attribute may be his leadership skills.
Greene's teammates voted him an assistant captain as a sophomore;
he'll wear the 'C' this season. Miami coach Enrico Blasi says
Greene demands a lot from himself and the players around him.
While the RedHawks will need contributions from returnees
and newcomers to replace the offensive prowess of the departed
Derek Edwardson, Greg Hogeboom and Mike Kompon, Blasi points
out that the team's leadership framework, anchored by Greene,
returns intact.
Miami
coach Enrico Blasi on Greene: “He makes people
around him better. The respect that he has in the locker room
and from the coaches is huge. He's going to play at the next
level. He's a player, period.”
