The time to say goodbye has finally arrived for Methuen’s Brenna Greene.
After nearly two decades on the ice, that saw her become one of the most decorated high school hockey players in Eagle-Tribune area history, win a state title, and go onto a highly successful college career, the end has finally arrived for the sport she loves.
“It’s been a long road,” said Greene. “It’s weird and a little scary to think my competitive hockey career is over. I’ve been skating since I was 3-years-old. So it is weird. It’s hard but I know that it’s time, and I’m so proud of what I accomplished.”
A rare four-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star as a defenseman for the Methuen/Tewksbury co-op team, leading them to the 2019 Division 1 state title, Greene just wrapped up an impressive college campaigns as a three-year fixture on the blue line for Division 3 Salem State University.
This winter, in 26 games, she posted career-highs in goals (six) and points (nine) as a defense-first defenseman.
“I truly loved my time at Salem State,” she said. “I loved college hockey from my first game. I am so glad that I pushed myself to play at the college level.”
Greene’s college career, though, began in highly disappointing fashion.
She arrived at Salem State in the fall of 2020 — the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. That meant her freshman season was washed out.
“The COVID season was very hard,” said Greene. “It was a mental battle. We were allowed to practice twice a week. It had to be small groups, and I felt like I didn’t even know a lot of the team. There were no games, so we didn’t really have anything to work toward. It was a mental fight, compared to what I had experienced before that at Methuen.”
But once her career really got rolling a year later, she knew she was in love, even with the inherent challenges.
“It was awesome from the start,” she said. “We played Elmira in my first college game. I loved it immediately. It felt like a perfect moment. I knew it was right. I was so thankful I pushed myself to the limit. I texted (then-Methuen/Tewksbury coach) Sarah (Doucette) after and thanked her for pushing me to get here.
“The speed was a lot faster than anything I had experienced ever before. I was one of the smaller girls, and I got pushed around a little more than I was used to. But it just took working in the gym and getting stronger. I was able to adapt, and by junior year I felt like I was physically ready.”
In 74 career games for Salem State, Greene scored 10 goals and added 12 assists, but more importantly commanded the blue line and delivered that physical presence she was known for at Methuen.
“I still made sure to throw my body around and deliver some big hits as best I could,” she said. “And I also scored some goals, which was a good feeling. I always wanted to be a player my teammates could rely on.”
While she’s graduating in the spring, Greene could have played one more year. But she knew what needed to be done.
“I have the extra COVID year for eligibility, and I tried to figure out a way for it to make sense,” she said. “Like I could get my master’s degree. But I’m a marketing major, and I really couldn’t make it make sense. The time has come, and I’m proud of my career. It’s the end, but it isn’t the end of the road. I’ll find a league around Methuen or Haverhill to get back on the ice.”
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