Born in Caslegar, BC, Travis Green was taken 23rd overall by the New York Islanders in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft after scoring 51 goals for the WHL's Spokane Chiefs. He returned for one last season of junior hockey and combined for 60 goals with the Chiefs and the Medicine Hat Tigers. After a little over two seasons apprenticing in the AHL, the young pivot played 61 games for the Isles in 1992-93. Green went on to play nearly six full seasons with the Islanders as they suffered through several rebuilding years in the late 90s. Still, he was one of the team's most versatile performers while topping the 20-goal mark twice. In February, 1998 he was traded to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and registered 16 points in the last 22 games of the season. Green was used in a variety of situations in 1998-99 and helped the Ducks reach the playoffs. Following the season he was sent to the Phoenix Coyotes for offensive blueliner Oleg Tverdosky.
Green matched his career high with 25 goals in 1999-00 but his play sagged the next season along with his team's fortunes. Prior to the 2001-02 season he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the package for defenceman Danny Markov. Following two seasons with the Maple Leafs, Green was left un-protected by the club and was subsequently claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Waiver Draft. However, Green would never suit up for the club, instead he would be dealt to the Boston Bruins. On the international stage, Green represented his homeland at the World Championships (1996-1998).