FEATURE: Greene Excelled in Jump from USHL to NCAA in Freshman Season

Finishing up his freshman year at Boston University, Ryan Greene proved that he could adjust to new systems and a higher level, making the jump from the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL to the Terriers this past season.

Coming into the year, Greene didn't know what to expect standing on the ice with new teammates and a completely new system. But as he continued to play through his first season, he began to find his role on the team to showcase his skills as the team's second line center.

"To be honest, this season was more than what I ever thought it was going to be like and it was honestly amazing," Greene said. "I found a role for myself there and kind of just played each game. I felt like I was getting more and more comfortable and then, I think I just continued to get better each game throughout the year."

In his freshman year with the Terriers, the Newfoundland native tallied nine goals and 22 assists through 38 games. He also helped the team captured their 10th Hockey East title and advanced to the Frozen Four before being eliminated by Minnesota.

Before the college hockey season began, Greene prepared to make the jump into the NCAA Division I team to help him adjust to a high-paced contest and compete against older players. Although it took a few games to find his rhythm, he felt he adjusted well to Boston's system.

"Before the season started, I felt like I got really comfortable with the pace of play and competing with older guys," Greene said. "Then, once the game started, it probably took five or six games to kind of get a real good feel for it and get comfortable. But then I felt like after that, I was just fine."

For most players, they can struggle with the transition from the USHL to a college team due to the difference of speed in the matchups. However, Blackhawks Assistant General Manager of Player Development Mark Eaton noticed that Greene handled it well with the help of the Terriers coaches.

During his first season as Boston, the coaching staff implemented a culture where players earned their ice time and proved that they can play their position the right way. As the season progressed, Eaton witnessed the 19-year-old forward's growth within his game as a center and his overall maturity.

"You could just see that Ryan learned to play that way as the season progressed and earned more ice time in doing so," Eaton said. "I think he showed a lot of maturity and kind of learning the way that [Boston] wants to play and really the way he should play."

As he looks towards to his sophomore season in the fall, he hopes to focus on attacking in the offensive zone more to up his playing style.

"I think sometimes I don't attack enough," Greene said. "I'm a 200-foot player and I think I'm very responsible in the D-zone, but in terms of the offensive zone, maybe separating off the wall more and probably just attacking the net more."

As for Eaton and the development staff, they appreciate and value seeing how Greene has progressed throughout the year and showcased the things he learned on and off the ice that can help him grow throughout his playing career.

"Playing as a second line center for a team that went to the Frozen Four, I think he played a big role in that," Eaton said. "So, just the way he started the year with learning a new system and learning what's expected of him and kind of embracing the role he played and playing the right way was great."