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