Greene recorded two goals and eight assists during 2007-08, his first full season in New Jersey.

newjerseydevils.com – Playing in front of the hometown crowd is a dream for just about every kid hoping to make it to the National Hockey League. On Nov. 8, when the Devils visit Joe Louis Arena to battle the Red Wings, defenseman Andy Greene will have a chance to hit the ice in his native Detroit.

Andy Greene highlights

Greene made 59 appearances for New Jersey in 2007-08, his first full season as a Devil. The 5-11, 195-lb. blueliner played in a career-high 23 straight games to begin the season, and improved upon his previous year's totals (1g-5a-6pts) with two goals and eight assists for 10 points.

Born just south of the Motor City in Trenton, Mich., Greene spent four seasons with Miami University of Ohio (CCHA), where he was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team in 2003 and the First All-Star Team from 2004-2006, and took Offensive Defenseman of the Year honors in 2005 and 2006. Undrafted, he signed with the Devils as a free agent in April of 2006.

Newjerseydevils.com recently caught up to Greene, who is back in New Jersey and ready for training camp.

Greene: After last season was over, I went back home to Detroit for a few weeks and hung out with family and friends. It was the first time I had the chance to see my new nephew, Ryan Alexander, who was born at the end of March. It was nice to actually see him in person, and spend time with my nieces, Amanda and Katie. Obviously, when you're home there's also time to relax and reflect on the season.

I was home for about three weeks, and it was good to see everyone. My family tries to get to New Jersey about once a month during the season to see games, but not all of them had that opportunity last year.

After that trip home, I came back to Jersey at the end of May to work out, and stayed through the month of June. I returned to Miami of Ohio for their alumni weekend golf outing, and it was nice to see a lot my old teammates and some of the guys that led the way for me to be there.

Every summer my family takes a vacation together up north in Michigan. Me and my three brothers, two of whom are married, along with my nieces, nephews and in-laws, went to a resort called Crystal Mountain, which is just south of Traverse City. It's just a place to relax, play golf everyday, and spend time on Lake Michigan.

I was back in New Jersey for all of August, and took advantage of all the nice golf courses that Jersey has to offer. I played Mountain Ridge, Upper Montclair, Essex County, Echo Lake and Ballyowen.

I was able to get to the Jersey Shore a few times to enjoy some days off in Spring Lake and Belmar. It's so different from where I live in West Orange, especially having the ocean right there. It's a slower pace to just relax and take it easy.

I'll be going into Detroit this year for the first time in my NHL career, and for the last year and a half, my friends and family have been asking when I'd be playing at home. It's going to be a fun experience, obviously a new experience for me. I'm looking forward to that and hopefully a good outcome. I grew up a Wings fan because I was 20 minutes south of Detroit, and I was a big Steve Yzerman fan.

I've had a good summer. I've been working out and training hard with [Devils strength and conditioning coordinator] Mike Vasalani, and I'm feeling confident about the shape I'm in both mentally and physically. I'm hoping to use everything I've done this summer to go right into training camp and into the season ready to have a good year.