veteran on the team. His additional ice time and jump in personal statistics certainly caught the eye of many, including that of Head Coach, Bruce Boudreau and the Minnesota Wild. Just before the NHL Trade Deadline, the Wild made a move to acquire both White and Martin Hanzal from the Coyotes in hopes of cementing their chances for a deep playoff run.“ Ryan is one of those guys who just makes things happen,” Boudreau said.“ I watched him play last week, and he made a really great play on a goal, so he’ s shown that he can play. He listens to
Ryan is one of those guys who just makes things happen. I watched him play last week, and he made a really great play on a goal, so he’ s shown that he can play. He listens to directions really well
directions really well.” Indeed, he does. In that first game with the Wild, White put up a goal and an assist against Los Angeles. The next day in his home province against the Jets, the 6-foot, 200-pound aggressor found the back of the net once again.
“ It’ s exciting when you get put on a team like this, I couldn’ t have asked for a better spot,” White said.“ It’ s all about just trying to fit in, and this is a pretty easy group to fit into. These guys have made it really easy on me. There are some really good players here, and they’ re feeling good about themselves, so they’ ve made it easy for me to jump right in.” Not only have the Wild made it easy for the former star at Brandon’ s Green Acres Community Centre, they have demonstrated why they’ ve spent most of the season in first place in the Western Conference.“ It’ s just a true veteran group,” White said.“ You notice it right away. Even before the games the guys are a confident team. It’ s all about business in here. It certainly is a breath of fresh air in a sense, but at the same time it’ s just a bit of trying to get myself in there and get acquainted with the team, but it has been a lot of fun so far.” This was the first time White had been traded in his career – either as a professional or junior. The experience was one that he certainly won’ t forget.“ I was actually at the rink as we were getting ready to play Buffalo,” he said.“ I was sitting on the floor and rolling out, and then kind of got the word from Coach Tippett. The next thing I knew I was packing my bags and getting things organized with my fiancé. She sure did a good job packing me up and getting me on that plane. But it definitely caught me off guard a bit there. It’ s been a whirlwind couple of days, and there hasn’ t been much sleep, but it’ s been a lot of fun too.” It hasn’ t always been so easy for the eight-year NHL veteran. Beginning his hockey career on the local rec teams in Brandon, White moved up the ranks, playing in the Manitoba Triple A Midget Hockey
Philadelphia Flyers 2014-2016
Arizona Coyotes 2016-17
2017 PLAYOFF EDITION GAME ON 77