My first recollection of Greger Hanson was in the 2013 CHL playoffs when he was playing for the Wichita Thunder in the finals of the Presidents' Cup championship. That was the series that ended in overtime in game seven with the famous Todd Robinson goal that gave the Americans their first championship. According to coach Martinson the best player for Wichita in that series was Hanson even though he missed game seven with an injury.
Greger's reputation as a clutch playoff performer would follow him to Allen where he won three championships and was selected as the Kelly Cup MVP in 2015. Last night Greger had this to say on social media about his time in Allen, "Thanks to the Allen Americans and fans for four great years and three unforgettable championships! Great place to play hockey."
If you look at Greger's regular season stats while in Allen they are certainly impressive. He is eighth all time in games played (195), third in points (225), first in goals (98) and third in assists (127). However, if you look at the postseason Hanson is first in games played (76), first in points (77), first in goals (37) and second in assists. He always stepped it up when games counted the most.
All players have the hopes and desires to make it to the next level but in my opinion that motivation was greater in Greger than any player that has played in Allen. It is a very difficult task to make it to the AHL as a free agent without an AHL contract. When you get called up as a free agent during the season you are going to play in different systems, you may not get much ice time, you may be asked to play more of a defensive role and you often have to make a good impression in just a game or two. Regardless of the obstacles Hanson was always up to the challenge and believed in himself that given the right opportunity, he can play in the AHL. Here is a list of the times Greger was loaned to AHL clubs while a member of the Allen Americans. The number in parenthesis is the number of games he played before being returned to Allen:
December 12, 2014 - Oklahoma City Barons (1 game)
December 18, 2014 - Worcester Sharks (11 games)
January 31, 2015 - Oklahoma City Barons (2 games)
November 13, 2015 - San Jose Barracuda (17 games)
March 1, 2016 - Utica Comets (7 games)
January 11, 2017 - San Diego Gulls (5 games)
February 17, 2017 - Chicago Wolves (2 games)
February 24, 2017 - Binghamton Senators (3 games)
March 20, 2017 - Charlotte Checkers (2 games)
If you add it all up you get 50 games with five goals and seven assists. Not much production for a player that has averaged 1.16 points per game in the 151 games he has played in the ECHL. I would typically talk to Greger after one of his stints in the AHL and he would share how it went. Most of the time he would be on a third or fourth line and sometimes not get a single shift in the third period of games. But when he returned from San Diego last season it was a different story. First of all, he didn't find out he was headed to San Diego until he had completed a full practice with the Americans. He spent the day just getting to San Diego and arrived just in time for the game. He was told he was going to play a regular shift and even got some power play time. The result for Greger was a power play goal and an assist as San Diego beat Stockton 5-3. He was selected the #2 star of the game. Greger stayed for five games in San Diego and ended up with three points, was a plus two and took 18 shots on goal. More importantly he received very positive feedback when he was returned to Allen. Here are the Hanson highlights from that first game in San Diego which I am sure had a lot to do with getting his AHL deal this year. You will see #34 made several great plays in addition to the goal and assist.
It is a real credit to Greger that he has signed an AHL contract at a time of his career where many thought his time had passed. You don't find many 30 year old players signing these deals. It will still be an uphill battle for Hanson to make the Gulls roster but he has waited a long time for this opportunity so don't count him out.
Have to admit it will be tough to see him in a Utah Grizzlies uniform if he does get sent to San Diego's ECHL affiliate. In case you were wondering Allen plays Utah six times this season and four of the games are at the Allen Event Center. (November 1, January 10, February 16, February 17).
Finally, here is the first story I ever wrote about Greger back in November 2013. It may give you some insight into what makes him tick and why he has a can do, never give up attitude in achieving his goals through hard work and tenacity. I am sure all Allen fans wish him the best of luck in San Diego. http://allenamericansblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/20-questions-with-greger-hanson.html
DID YOU KNOW: Northern Michigan University (NMU) has been an important part of Greger's life. He played four years of hockey there, met his wife Andrea there and his younger brother (Gerard) also played hockey and graduated from NMU. Gerard is currently playing professional hockey in England for the Manchester Storm. By the way Greger's roommate in college was a former Allen American, Phil Fox.
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