Greene Approaching 1,000-Game Milestone

Some things in life are just a number.

At a certain point, age becomes just a reminder of another passing of a calendar year, not a measure of anything more or anything less.
What about a 1,000-career game milestone, a feat that only 357 other players in the history of the sport have reached?
Ask Andy Greene.
"It's something that you're proud of, it's an honor," Greene said on Saturday afternoon. "But [you] try to just play the game. The number attached to it isn't something - you think about, I mean obviously it's there - but you're ready for a big game. We need to play well."

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On Monday night as the New York Islanders play a rematch of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Greene will officially become the 358th player in the history of the NHL to reach the impressive 1,000-career game milestone.
While a milestone of that stature is certainly sentimental, it's a rewarding culmination of all the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that's been required along the way. Even given the significance of a feat like that, it's not all that surprising that the 39-year-old is approaching one of the biggest achievements of his professional hockey career with the very same level-headed attitude that he's maintained since he humbly broke into the NHL as an undrafted free agent in 2006 after betting on himself.
"When you first start off, you worry about your first game and how do you play your second?" Greene said. "You just figure it out from there. You just try to finally establish yourself. Once you do, you're battling to stay in. That's what I've tried to do throughout my whole career. Just scratch and claw and go from there and try to enjoy it along the way."
Scratch and claw he has, and then some.
Over the course of his 16 seasons in the NHL, Greene has not just made the most of his opportunity, but he's seized it in a manner that not many ever have. He has totaled 255-career points (50G, 205A), produced 14 points (5G, 9A) through 90 playoff games, blocked 1,893 shots and earned an unwavering identity as a versatile and reliable defenseman. His innate high-character qualities earned him the esteemed honor to be a captain for five seasons and have helped shape his reputation to be a continuously respected player by his peers, coaches and community as well as a prolific example of how far hard work, discipline and good habits can take someone.

"Nothing was ever promised or given, it was just an opportunity," Greene said. "I knew if I got a chance, I'd be able to make it. I was fortunate enough to do that."
That chance initially came upon finishing his impressive four-year Division l career at the University of Miami-Ohio. As various NHL teams relayed interest, he ultimately signed his first professional contract with the New Jersey Devils. It's fitting that after 14 seasons with the Devils, Greene is reunited with Lou Lamoriello, the current Islanders President and General Manager and the person who originally tendered Greene his first deal.
Monday night's game will be a surreal milestone and one that will be celebrated widely as he honored. For Greene, he's approaching it as just another opportunity to continue the pursuit of his dream.
"I still feel young, it helps having 'Big Z' [Zdeno Chara] here," Greene said as he cracked a smile. "It takes that title away from me now. But I do, I do [feel like a kid]. You have to have that youthful energy. It's good to be around the guys. It's a lot of fun. Age is - everyone talks about being 39 - it's a number. It doesn't mean much to me. I still love coming to the rink, practicing, battling, working out, all that. Playing hockey, it's a dream come true."