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Andy Greene signed a one-day contract with the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday and ended his NHL career after 16 seasons with 264 points (52 goals, 212 assists) in 1,680 games for the Devils and New York Islanders.
The defenseman, who turns 40 on Oct. 30, also had 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and was plus-3 in 90 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The native of Trenton, Michigan, will be honored by the Devils when he and his family will participate in the ceremonial puck drop before the home opener against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
"Coming out of Miami University in 2006, as an undrafted free agent, I was lucky enough to sign an NHL contract with the New Jersey Devils," Greene said. "In January of 2007, I fulfilled my dream and played my first NHL game. As I sit here 16 years later, it still seems surreal that I was one of the fortunate ones who got to do what I had dreamed of when I was five years old.
"I want to thank the New Jersey Devils organization, for giving me my first day and last day in the NHL. You have treated not only me, but more importantly my family, with nothing but love and respect and I will be forever grateful for that. Thank you also to the New York Islanders organization for the past two and a half years."
Greene will continue to live in New Jersey and will work with the Devils organization at certain points throughout the year as his schedule permits. He had 246 points (49 goals, 197 assists) for New Jersey in 923 regular-season games and nine points (three goals, six assists) in 50 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He was named Devils captain prior to the start of the 2015-16 season and played 14 seasons for them before being traded to the Islanders on Feb. 16, 2020. His time in New Jersey included a trip to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, a six-game loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He had one assist and averaged 22:02 of ice time in 24 playoff games.
"Andy was a bedrock for New Jersey during his 14 years and developed into an exceptional leader and what it meant to be a Devil," general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "He was a consummate professional when times were hard and a representation to his teammates in the locker room. It's only right that he announces his retirement from the National Hockey League as a member of the Devils and we thank him for all that he's done on and off the ice for the organization.
"As he stays in New Jersey we know he will be around the Prudential Center on his own schedule, but now can spend time with his wife, Rachel, and sons, Colton and Maddox."
Greene became the 20th United States-born defensemen to play 1,000 NHL games Nov. 15, 2021, when the Islanders lost 4-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. He made his NHL debut against the Atlanta Thrashers at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Jan. 12, 2007, playing 10:29 in a 2-1 victory.
"I just remember that nervous feeling, nervous energy," Greene said the morning of his milestone game. "I still get it a little bit before games, but not as much as back then. I remember the first shift, I stepped on the ice, the puck popped out to me at the blue line and I thought, 'Man, what a great opportunity here.' I threw a little wrister and it hit the goalie right in the chest."
NHL.com deputy managing editor Brian Compton contributed to this report
Tweet from @NJDevils: From one captain to another��� congratulations.#NJDevils | #MadeinJersey pic.twitter.com/scGPPASn0P
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