Cornell’s Alex Green Signs with Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Wednesday that they have signed 2018 fourth round draft pick defenseman Alex Green of Cornell to an entry-level contract. Green would have been a senior for Cornell this coming season and joins a litany of other Ivy League players that have signed professional contracts after the Ivy League announced a delay until January 1st for their season.

Green was passed over his first two years of NHL Draft eligibility in 2016 and 2017, though narrowly so, earning some free agent invitation to NHL prospect development camps where he impressed. After a solid rookie season at Cornell in 2017-2018 where Green impressed with mobility and ability to contribute a bit offensively, scoring 10 points in 29 games, the Lightning selected him in his final year of draft eligibility.

Green developed into a standout defenseman last season as a junior, leading a Cornell team that was among the best in the country in the truncated season. At 6’2”, Green has good size while maintaining pro-level skating and agility. He’s a very smart defender with effective positioning that isn’t a huge offensive creator, but moves the puck effectively enough to chip in with some offense.