“Great feeling” | Calgary Flames

Of course, Greer still has many good years on the ice and his goal of winning a Stanley Cup remains a top priority.

He admits too many players aren't ready to navigate life outside of hockey. So for him, it's about laying a foundation that will come with a smooth transition when the time comes.

But ultimately, Greer is a goal-setter with an insatiable appetite for life's pleasures.

Whether it's now or 10, 15 years from now, that part of it will never change.

“Let life take you where it takes you,” Greer said. “I have many goals that I want to achieve. Most are short term. I try not to think too much about the future because things change.

“Yes, it gives me a chance to think about my post-playing career and helps me check something off my list. But in the short term, I want to learn Spanish. I think being trilingual would be more useful for some of the things I want to do in my life.

“I have many big ambitions. I've been reading a lot of books on starting a business, so I'm soaking it up as much as I can right now.

“When my son is a little older, I want to learn piano with him. It's something I've thought about since Jackson was born.

“Just learn.

“I want to know everything about this world, this life.”

Greer laughs as he reflects on how crazy the past year has been. From marrying the love of his life last summer, Taylor, to giving up, to the birth of his son in February, to recovering from a serious injury, to hitting the books and helping the Flames, he's done it all. a hockey player can do in one season.

There isn't a single player on the Flames roster who is glad to miss spring dance.

But if you can pull out one positive, look no further than Greer, who will be joining Taylor, Jackson and her parents, Jose and Wayne, to celebrate in Beantown next month at her prom.

After all, it is for them.

As much as it is for AJ

“100%,” he says. “My parents worked hard to put me in a position where I could succeed. Earning a full scholarship and going to a great school like Boston University was a dream I had as a teenager when I started to understand what paths I could take to make it to the NHL.

“Education has always been a priority in my life and that of my family. So when I decided to drop out of college, it was with mixed emotions from my parents because they wanted to support me and they understood where I was coming from, but they were skeptical about giving up a full scholarship.

“But they were supportive. And my dreams are impossible without him.

“I'm very happy and proud.”