Growing up in Potsdam, New York, J.D. Greenway had an easily accessible role model in older brother Jordan.

So when older brother had an opportunity to play prep school hockey at Minnesota powerhouse Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, younger brother followed. And when older brother moved on to USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, younger brother followed again.

The two brothers overlapped this season at the NTDP, with Jordan on the Under-18 Team and J.D. on the U17 squad.

“He has been my motivation to keep going,” J.D. said. “When he left to go to Shattuck-St. Mary’s, that was an eye-opener that he was doing something with hockey. He kept telling me that I could do something, and I didn’t go for another two years.

“I always have followed him. Now that I’m here — it’s big. I’m just trying to go as far as I can.”

J.D.’s journey began when he moved across the country to southern Minnesota to live and play at Shattuck. Although that gave him experience living away from home, J.D. still had to adapt again when he arrived in Ann Arbor and began living with a billet family.

“They are really good,” he said, “but it was different at first.”

When J.D. was preparing to join his brother to he NTDP, Jordan had sound advice for how to adapt on the ice.

“He told me to have mental toughness,” J.D. said. “He told me it was going to be hard, since he knows I can slack off every once in a while. He definitely got me in shape over the summer. He kept pushing me and telling me to get through it, as it is worth it in the end.”

Yet even with that preparation, J.D. faced a steep learning curve when he arrived in Ann Arbor.

“In hockey, I realized I wasn’t as good as I thought,” the 6-foot-4, 204-pound defenseman said. “That definitely made me work harder and harder so I could keep up.”

J.D. did keep up. He finished with one goal and six points in 53 games while learning to be comfortable on the ice.

“Knowing what to do with the puck at times is how my game has grown the most,” he said. “Back at Shattuck, I could put up a couple points every once in a while. I think I had one goal this year, and I think I learned what I have to do, and that was help keep the puck out of our net.”

Part of the growth for J.D. came from the daily practices. He credits one of his favorite drills, the ready pass drill, as a big part of his development.

“The drill is basically just passing, and you can get passes and give passes,” he said. “You have to make them perfect until you can quit the drill. It’s still a work in progress, but it definitely helped me with my passing.

“It helps the vision on the ice to make the simple play and not try to do too much. If you see an opening, you need to get it up the ice as quickly as possible.”

Despite the challenges, J.D. said the experience has been worth it.

“Representing USA is unbelievable,” he said. “I never imagined that I would be here, representing my country and playing hockey. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”

While J.D. has followed his brother in recent seasons, the younger brother will get to be something of a pioneer next season when he and the NTDP move to a new home in Plymouth, Michigan.

“That is going to be pretty cool,” he said. “Being here with the fans, we get a pretty good atmosphere. They have a nice facility — I can’t wait to see how they will change it and see the USA items."

For now, J.D. is focused on what he needs to do this summer to get ready for his second season with the NTDP. It should come as no surprise that he will spend his summer working out with Jordan.

“I’m going to be on the ice quite often and in the gym as much as I can working out with my brother,” J.D. said. “I’m sure we will be pushing each other. I want to get bigger and stronger so I can dominate next year. I know I need to put on weight and muscle.

“This year is going to be more intense. Jordan pushes me and makes me not want to quit.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Favorite U.S. Player
T.J. Oshie

Favorite Movie
Miracle

Favorite TV Show
Entourage

Favorite Actor
Russell Brand

Favorite Music
The Beatles

Favorite Website
NHL.com

Favorite Book
Harry Potter Series

Favorite Activity Away from Rink
Golf