Photo by: Rich Gagnon
Greenway Goes the Distance to Become an Olympian
February 6, 2018 | Men's Ice Hockey
by Scott Weighart, Special to GoTerriers.com
BOSTON – It's shaping up to be the month of a lifetime for Boston University junior forward Jordan Greenway.
Last Friday, he scored a goal against UMass as the Terriers extended their season-best unbeaten streak to seven games. On Monday night, he picked up his first-ever point in a Beanpot game, as the Terriers pulled off an epic double-overtime win over Harvard to reach their fourth consecutive Beanpot championship game while making BU 7-0-1 in its last eight games.
A curious twist on Monday night had Greenway competing against Harvard University forward Ryan Donato, as the talented skaters will transition from adversaries to teammates for the next few weeks. In fact, on Wednesday morning they will be on the same flight to South Korea, where they will join the USA Olympic team for the better part of February. If that's not enough, Greenway will also celebrate his 21st birthday in PyeongChang.
At 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, Greenway has delighted the Terrier faithful for three seasons with his size and strength. His points-per-game totals have improved each year, thanks in part to his signature move around the net—stickhandling with one hand while stiff-arming an opponent to protect the puck. He's second on the team this season with 25 points in 28 games.
Greenway is certainly the real deal as a hockey prospect, but this month promises to be more of a surreal deal, especially with the foe-turned-friend twist of facing Donato Monday night.
"It's pretty crazy, honestly, especially playing against someone you'll be playing with in Ryan Donato," Greenway said at Agganis Arena on Sunday afternoon. "It's all good, though. It's all exciting. I've been lucky to do a lot of things in life because of hockey. I've always dreamed of playing in the Olympics one day, but I didn't think it would come this early. It's a dream come true."
The idea of playing in the Olympics seemed highly improbable even a year ago.
"It started last summer," Greenway said. "I kind of knew that they were going back and forth about whether the NHL guys were going. Then, toward the end of the summer, I got a call from Jim Johansson (the Team USA General Manager, who tragically died on January 21), who told me I'd be in the prospect pool for some of the guys who were going to go. I made it a goal at the beginning of the season to make the team and represent my country again, and I'm really happy to do it. I've been able to do it multiple times (including the gold-medal winning team in the 2017 World Junior Championship), and the excitement doesn't go down. I couldn't be more excited."
Greenway's selection also marks the first time an African-American player has suited up for Team USA in Olympic hockey—a fact that surprised people, including him.
"I was very surprised, too. I didn't know until I was doing an interview like this and someone told me. I couldn't believe it. I think it's great. I've always seen it as just another kid going to the Olympics, but hopefully I can be someone that other kids can look up to."
It's not the first time an African-American player from BU has been a pioneer. Winger Mike Grier, who played on BU's national championship team in 1995, was the first African-American player born and trained in this country to make it to the National Hockey League, where he played 1,060 games over a 15-season career. Fittingly, Grier has become a mentor to Greenway.
"He's been a big influence on my career; he's helped me out a lot," Greenway says. "I skated with him over the summer. He just continues to say, 'A lot is going to come at you.' I just have to continue doing what I've done to this point and everything else will work itself out. He has also encouraged me to keep working hard, and he's always there for support and around the rink. It's great to hear the perspective from someone who's had a career like him."
Greenway will get to know several other former BU players in PyeongChang, as his teammates will include erstwhile Terriers Chris Bourque, John McCarthy and Matt Gilroy. McCarthy and Gilroy led the 2009 team to an improbable comeback win in the legendary national championship game. Greenway skated a bit with McCarthy last summer but has yet to meet Bourque or Gilroy.
In light of the NHL not allowing its players to vie for the medal stand, the competition itself at the Olympics promises to be highly unpredictable. Each country has assembled a disparate cast of characters ranging from young prospects to wily veterans who are mostly playing on the European circuit this season. The USA team is headed by former Boston College star Brian Gionta, who scored 289 NHL goals, and it will feature former college hockey standouts such as Hobey Baker winner Gilroy, Jim Slater, Bobby Butler, and Chad Kolarik, but it includes many names that won't be familiar to the average fan.
"It's definitely different," acknowledges Greenway. "In all of these international tournaments, you're trying to get a bunch of guys from different leagues, teams, and ages to come together in four or five days and win a gold medal—win a bunch of games in a short period of time. It's never easy, but I've done it at the World Juniors and World Championships. With our team specifically, we have a lot of great leaders and guys who have done it before. Gionta's been there. Obviously, you look at his resume; it's one you can dream of. Our coaches, too, have been through this process."
Although Greenway has been to Europe repeatedly, this will be first foray into Asia.
"I don't what to expect, honestly, going to South Korea," he said, chuckling. "Going to Europe and seeing different cultures and landscapes has been enjoyable, and I don't think this will be any different. I'm from Canton, New York, and I go to Lake Placid a lot, and you see some of the ski jumps, and you wonder how they do it. So to have a front-row seat to that if I get the opportunity to do that will be fascinating."
If there's anything remotely bittersweet about this month, it's the fact that Greenway will have to take an extended leave from the Terriers just when their momentum has peaked this season.
"The team's really been going in a good direction here. We've had a great team throughout the whole year, but sometimes we weren't finding ways to win—we were finding ways to lose, actually.
"Now that we're going on a run, the team has confidence. For me to take a leave like this is upsetting, but I'm fully confident in these guys. They'll still be able to continue doing what we've been doing the last couple of weeks. I'm confident that they can get a Beanpot. I'll be cheering them on. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to South Korea for the Olympics, so it was something I couldn't turn down."
At the press conference after the Beanpot, head coach David Quinn was asked what might be going through Jordan's head about missing the Beanpot final but getting to participate in the Olympics. "I never know what's going through Jordan's head," quipped Quinn. "I feel like Dr. Phil coaching him.
"All kidding aside, we couldn't be happier for him. Very proud of him. Our guys are excited for him. We'll be following him closely. I'm sure there's a piece of him that wishes he was playing in this Beanpot final, but once he gets over there, it's all going to be out winning the gold medal.
"It's unfortunate that the schedule doesn't allow him to play in the Beanpot final," Quinn added. "But I think he's going to forget about that when he's going into the Village and walking in the opening ceremony and playing on national television in the Olympics. It's an incredible opportunity."
So what was going through Jordan's head after the Beanpot Monday night? I tracked him down as he milled with BU family members under the TD Garden stands.
"It definitely makes things a lot easier, getting the win tonight" said the big forward. "I'm really happy with how things went. We started out a little slow tonight, but we were able to rebound and played great at the end of the game. Now I'm looking forward to going to South Korea."
Apprised of Quinn's joke about not knowing what was going on in his head, Jordan laughed.
"I always keep him on his toes," he said. "He's been fully supportive of me and has done a lot to help me get to where I am now. I don't know if I'd be going if it wasn't for him, so I can't thank him enough. He's been great."
Jordan Greenway is definitely going the distance to compete for his country—6,789 miles, in fact. BU fans are hoping that it will be a case of so far, so good.
BOSTON – It's shaping up to be the month of a lifetime for Boston University junior forward Jordan Greenway.
Last Friday, he scored a goal against UMass as the Terriers extended their season-best unbeaten streak to seven games. On Monday night, he picked up his first-ever point in a Beanpot game, as the Terriers pulled off an epic double-overtime win over Harvard to reach their fourth consecutive Beanpot championship game while making BU 7-0-1 in its last eight games.
A curious twist on Monday night had Greenway competing against Harvard University forward Ryan Donato, as the talented skaters will transition from adversaries to teammates for the next few weeks. In fact, on Wednesday morning they will be on the same flight to South Korea, where they will join the USA Olympic team for the better part of February. If that's not enough, Greenway will also celebrate his 21st birthday in PyeongChang.
At 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, Greenway has delighted the Terrier faithful for three seasons with his size and strength. His points-per-game totals have improved each year, thanks in part to his signature move around the net—stickhandling with one hand while stiff-arming an opponent to protect the puck. He's second on the team this season with 25 points in 28 games.
Greenway is certainly the real deal as a hockey prospect, but this month promises to be more of a surreal deal, especially with the foe-turned-friend twist of facing Donato Monday night.
"It's pretty crazy, honestly, especially playing against someone you'll be playing with in Ryan Donato," Greenway said at Agganis Arena on Sunday afternoon. "It's all good, though. It's all exciting. I've been lucky to do a lot of things in life because of hockey. I've always dreamed of playing in the Olympics one day, but I didn't think it would come this early. It's a dream come true."
The idea of playing in the Olympics seemed highly improbable even a year ago.
"It started last summer," Greenway said. "I kind of knew that they were going back and forth about whether the NHL guys were going. Then, toward the end of the summer, I got a call from Jim Johansson (the Team USA General Manager, who tragically died on January 21), who told me I'd be in the prospect pool for some of the guys who were going to go. I made it a goal at the beginning of the season to make the team and represent my country again, and I'm really happy to do it. I've been able to do it multiple times (including the gold-medal winning team in the 2017 World Junior Championship), and the excitement doesn't go down. I couldn't be more excited."
Greenway's selection also marks the first time an African-American player has suited up for Team USA in Olympic hockey—a fact that surprised people, including him.
"I was very surprised, too. I didn't know until I was doing an interview like this and someone told me. I couldn't believe it. I think it's great. I've always seen it as just another kid going to the Olympics, but hopefully I can be someone that other kids can look up to."
It's not the first time an African-American player from BU has been a pioneer. Winger Mike Grier, who played on BU's national championship team in 1995, was the first African-American player born and trained in this country to make it to the National Hockey League, where he played 1,060 games over a 15-season career. Fittingly, Grier has become a mentor to Greenway.
"He's been a big influence on my career; he's helped me out a lot," Greenway says. "I skated with him over the summer. He just continues to say, 'A lot is going to come at you.' I just have to continue doing what I've done to this point and everything else will work itself out. He has also encouraged me to keep working hard, and he's always there for support and around the rink. It's great to hear the perspective from someone who's had a career like him."
Greenway will get to know several other former BU players in PyeongChang, as his teammates will include erstwhile Terriers Chris Bourque, John McCarthy and Matt Gilroy. McCarthy and Gilroy led the 2009 team to an improbable comeback win in the legendary national championship game. Greenway skated a bit with McCarthy last summer but has yet to meet Bourque or Gilroy.
In light of the NHL not allowing its players to vie for the medal stand, the competition itself at the Olympics promises to be highly unpredictable. Each country has assembled a disparate cast of characters ranging from young prospects to wily veterans who are mostly playing on the European circuit this season. The USA team is headed by former Boston College star Brian Gionta, who scored 289 NHL goals, and it will feature former college hockey standouts such as Hobey Baker winner Gilroy, Jim Slater, Bobby Butler, and Chad Kolarik, but it includes many names that won't be familiar to the average fan.
"It's definitely different," acknowledges Greenway. "In all of these international tournaments, you're trying to get a bunch of guys from different leagues, teams, and ages to come together in four or five days and win a gold medal—win a bunch of games in a short period of time. It's never easy, but I've done it at the World Juniors and World Championships. With our team specifically, we have a lot of great leaders and guys who have done it before. Gionta's been there. Obviously, you look at his resume; it's one you can dream of. Our coaches, too, have been through this process."
Although Greenway has been to Europe repeatedly, this will be first foray into Asia.
"I don't what to expect, honestly, going to South Korea," he said, chuckling. "Going to Europe and seeing different cultures and landscapes has been enjoyable, and I don't think this will be any different. I'm from Canton, New York, and I go to Lake Placid a lot, and you see some of the ski jumps, and you wonder how they do it. So to have a front-row seat to that if I get the opportunity to do that will be fascinating."
If there's anything remotely bittersweet about this month, it's the fact that Greenway will have to take an extended leave from the Terriers just when their momentum has peaked this season.
"The team's really been going in a good direction here. We've had a great team throughout the whole year, but sometimes we weren't finding ways to win—we were finding ways to lose, actually.
"Now that we're going on a run, the team has confidence. For me to take a leave like this is upsetting, but I'm fully confident in these guys. They'll still be able to continue doing what we've been doing the last couple of weeks. I'm confident that they can get a Beanpot. I'll be cheering them on. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to South Korea for the Olympics, so it was something I couldn't turn down."
At the press conference after the Beanpot, head coach David Quinn was asked what might be going through Jordan's head about missing the Beanpot final but getting to participate in the Olympics. "I never know what's going through Jordan's head," quipped Quinn. "I feel like Dr. Phil coaching him.
"All kidding aside, we couldn't be happier for him. Very proud of him. Our guys are excited for him. We'll be following him closely. I'm sure there's a piece of him that wishes he was playing in this Beanpot final, but once he gets over there, it's all going to be out winning the gold medal.
"It's unfortunate that the schedule doesn't allow him to play in the Beanpot final," Quinn added. "But I think he's going to forget about that when he's going into the Village and walking in the opening ceremony and playing on national television in the Olympics. It's an incredible opportunity."
So what was going through Jordan's head after the Beanpot Monday night? I tracked him down as he milled with BU family members under the TD Garden stands.
"It definitely makes things a lot easier, getting the win tonight" said the big forward. "I'm really happy with how things went. We started out a little slow tonight, but we were able to rebound and played great at the end of the game. Now I'm looking forward to going to South Korea."
Apprised of Quinn's joke about not knowing what was going on in his head, Jordan laughed.
"I always keep him on his toes," he said. "He's been fully supportive of me and has done a lot to help me get to where I am now. I don't know if I'd be going if it wasn't for him, so I can't thank him enough. He's been great."
Jordan Greenway is definitely going the distance to compete for his country—6,789 miles, in fact. BU fans are hoping that it will be a case of so far, so good.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Ice HockeyMen's Ice Hockey Skates with Ice Hockey in Harlem
Tuesday, December 02
Highlights: Red Hot Hockey - Men's Ice Hockey vs. Cornell (11/29/25)
Sunday, November 30
Highlights: Men's Ice Hockey vs. Northeastern (11/22/25)
Sunday, November 23
HIGHLIGHTS: Men's Ice Hockey vs. Merrimack (11/7/25)
Saturday, November 08
