A.J. Greer has experienced an unforgettable two months. On Saturday night, he was thrilled to be playing hockey with his Flames teammates again. Greer returned to the Calgary team to play against the Montreal team, a team he admired growing up, after being sidelined for nearly two months due to a fractured foot. During the game, he played for 8 minutes and 30 seconds and even delivered a few hits.
Greer expressed his joy on Sunday, after a practice session at the Scotiabank Saddledome. “Being back on the ice with the team and wearing the jersey in front of our fans felt amazing,” he said. He was grateful for the excellent care he received from the training and medical staff, which helped him return to the ice.
Playing his first game back was a significant step for Greer. Now, he’s eager to contribute more significantly to the team. Greer was injured on January 25 during a game against Columbus. From the moment he learned about his recovery timeline, he was determined to return sooner than expected.
“I’m competitive by nature,” he explained. “They said it would take six to eight weeks, but I aimed for five.” Despite his efforts, the bone needed more time to heal properly. Ryan Huska, the head coach, managed Greer’s playtime on Saturday. Huska praised Greer’s dedication to returning sooner and acknowledged the hard work and mental challenges involved in recovering from an injury.
Greer missed a total of 18 games. The injury brought not only the challenge of recovery but also concerns about his future, especially since he will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer. “The thought of being injured at this crucial time and the uncertainty about my contract for the next season was always there,” Greer admitted. The past two months have been an emotional rollercoaster for him.
During this challenging time, Greer found comfort in his family. In February, while he was recovering, he and his wife welcomed their son, Jackson. Greer is full of praise for his wife’s incredible support during these weeks. “She’s been an amazing mother,” he said. The arrival of their son has been a silver lining amidst the ups and downs of the past two months.
Now, as Greer balances his new role as a father with his responsibilities to the Flames, he’s focused on ending the season with the same energy and physicality he started with. He’s also feeling more grateful than ever. Reflecting on the recent challenges and joys, Greer said, “The past two months have been filled with so many emotions. The birth of our son was the highlight. I’m just so thankful for everything.”