Ridly Greig Bio
Ridly Greig (born August 8, 2002) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Senators in the first round of the 2020 NHL entry draft with the 28th overall pick. Greig is known for his gritty, physical style of play and has established himself as a reliable bottom-six forward capable of contributing both offensively and through his tenacious presence on the ice.
Early Life and Background
Ridly Greig was born on August 8, 2002, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. He grew up immersed in hockey, with his father Mark Greig having enjoyed a nine-season NHL career with the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Philadelphia Flyers. This family legacy provided Ridly with early exposure to professional hockey environments and the discipline required to pursue a career in the sport.
Greig comes from a notably athletic family. He has two sisters, Kyra and Dara. Dara has pursued professional hockey herself, playing for the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) after collegiate careers at Wisconsin and Colgate. Kyra also played university hockey at the University of Lethbridge in the Canadian U Sports League. This family connection to hockey across both genders highlights the sporting culture within the Greig household.
Path to Professional Hockey
Greig’s junior career began when the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) selected him in the first round, eighth overall, of the 2017 WHL bantam draft. He made his junior debut in the 2017-18 season, appearing in just four games and recording one assist. The following season (2018-19) saw Greig establish himself as a consistent offensive contributor, recording 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 63 games.
During the COVID-19-shortened 2019-20 season, Greig emerged as a high-impact player, recording 26 goals and 60 points in 54 games before the pandemic ended the season prematurely. The abbreviated 2020-21 campaign limited him to just 21 games, where he scored 10 goals and 32 points. Ahead of the 2021-22 season, Greig was named the 66th captain in Wheat Kings history, a testament to his leadership abilities and importance to the team. In that season, he recorded 26 goals and 63 points in 39 games, leading Brandon to their first playoff appearance during his tenure.
Ridly Greig Career
Early Professional Career (2021-2023)
After being drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2020, Greig signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the team on December 30, 2020. He began his professional development with Ottawa’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators, joining the team at the end of the 2021-22 season. Greig appeared in Belleville’s Calder Cup playoff loss to the Rochester Americans that year.
Greig joined Belleville full-time for the 2022-23 season, using the AHL to refine his game and adapt to the professional level. He was recalled by Ottawa on January 23, 2023, and made his NHL debut two days later on January 25, 2023, against the New York Islanders. Playing on a line with Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux, Greig registered an assist in his debut. He scored his first NHL goal on February 19, 2023, against the St. Louis Blues. Greig split the remainder of the season between Ottawa and Belleville, finishing with two goals and nine points in 20 NHL games while contributing 15 goals and 29 points in 39 AHL games.
Ottawa Senators Era (2023-Present)
Greig made Ottawa’s opening-night roster out of training camp for the 2023-24 season. He was expected to provide secondary scoring, grit, and physicality to the Senators’ bottom two lines. Early in the season, Greig missed ten games due to a high ankle sprain, returning to action on December 4, 2023. On January 16, 2024, he scored two goals in a 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. A memorable moment occurred on February 10, 2024, when Greig scored an empty-net goal using a slapshot in a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly took issue with the play and cross-checked Greig in the face, resulting in Rielly receiving a five-game suspension from the NHL. Greig was not seriously injured. He finished the season playing in 72 games, recording 13 goals and 26 points.
During the 2024-25 season, Greig suffered an upper-body injury during training camp and missed additional time in mid-October due to another upper-body issue. He returned to the lineup on October 21 against the Utah Hockey Club. On January 10, 2025, Greig signed a four-year contract extension with Ottawa, securing his long-term future with the organization. He appeared in 78 games that season, scoring 13 goals and recording 34 points.
Driving Style and Strengths
Greig has established himself as a versatile, two-way forward known for his physical play and ability to agitate opponents. His game translates well to a checking-line role, where he can provide energy and chip in offensively. His tenacity in forechecking and willingness to go to the dirty areas of the ice make him a valuable asset for the Senators. Greig’s competitive nature often draws penalties from opponents, making him an effective pest who can shift momentum in his team’s favor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Greig made his NHL playoff debut on April 20, 2025, in Game 1 of the Senators’ first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored his first playoff goal in that game, a memorable moment in his developing career. Throughout the first-round series, Greig established himself as a pest for the Maple Leafs, drawing penalties from goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Although Ottawa was eliminated in six games, Greig demonstrated his ability to elevate his play in high-pressure situations. Earlier in his career, he drew national attention at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he was named Canada’s best player in two of four group-stage games before suffering an injury in the quarterfinals that caused him to miss the remainder of the tournament. He still shared in Canada’s eventual gold medal win.
Ridly Greig Career Wins
Greig has accumulated notable achievements at both the junior and professional levels, including an international gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 World Junior Championships.
International Highlights
Greig represented Canada at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he distinguished himself as one of the tournament’s top players early in the competition. He was named Canada’s best player in two of four group-stage games, showcasing his two-way play and offensive instincts. Although he suffered an injury in the quarterfinal against Switzerland that forced him out for the remainder of the tournament, Greig shared in Canada’s gold medal victory. He later made his senior national team debut at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, appearing in five games as Canada finished fourth after losing the bronze medal game to Sweden.
Other Achievements
At the junior level, Greig was named the 66th captain in Brandon Wheat Kings history, demonstrating leadership qualities that translated to his professional career. He led Brandon to their first playoff appearance during his tenure as captain during the 2021-22 WHL season.
Ridly Greig Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Greig comes from a distinguished hockey family. His father, Mark Greig, played nine seasons in the NHL, suiting up for the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Philadelphia Flyers. This NHL pedigree provided Ridly with invaluable insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest level of professional hockey from an early age.
Personal Life
Beyond his immediate family, Greig’s siblings have also pursued careers in hockey. His sister Dara has played professionally in the PWHL for Montreal Victoire, following an impressive collegiate career at both the University of Wisconsin and Colgate University. His other sister, Kyra, played university hockey at the University of Lethbridge in the U Sports league. The Greig family’s collective achievement in hockey, spanning both professional men’s and women’s careers, reflects a strong sporting tradition within the household.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season marked a significant step forward in Greig’s development. He appeared in 78 games for the Ottawa Senators, scoring 13 goals and recording 34 points while maintaining his reputation as a physical, energy-line player. The highlight of his season came in the playoffs, where he made his NHL playoff debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs and scored his first postseason goal in Game 1 of the series.
His performance against Toronto demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest. Greig’s ability to draw penalties and frustrate opponents proved valuable in the Senators’ competitive first-round series, which ultimately ended in a six-game loss. His long-term future with the organization was secured when he signed a four-year extension in January 2025, indicating the team’s confidence in his trajectory.
Looking ahead, Greig appears positioned to continue his development as a reliable two-way forward for Ottawa. His combination of physical play, offensive upside, and playoff experience at a young age suggests he can become an increasingly important piece of the Senators’ core as they work to build a championship-caliber team.