Colin White Makes His Pro Debut

The Binghamton Senators lost 6-1 at the hands of the Syracuse Crunch in a rare Wednesday night affair at The Floyd L. Maines Veteran Memorial Arena in downtown Binghamton. The contest featured the two long time storied rivals wasn’t too much to bear watching besides the four fights that broke out, as the Sens loss was for the 15th time in the last 17 games with golf being on the docket for most of the team.

But with the Senators all but eliminated from any post-season action (for the second consecutive season), all eyes were on deck for a 6’0” 183lb forward out of Hanover, MA.

That being #10, Colin White.

The former first round draft pick was signed to a ATO this past weekend with Binghamton, and will be a working project for the remainder of the season for the BSens, then likely added to the Black Aces squad for Ottawa with a new ELC contract in place in time for the post-season, as long as his adjustments are smooth in transitions at the pro level.

The 20-year-old made his presence known early on with his first professional point as a result of a cross ice dish to forward Jason Akeson, as he slapped home his 19th of the season past Syracuse goalie Mike McKenna for a power play marker and a 1-0 lead in the first period. But that would be all, as Syracuse scored six unanswered goals as they peppered Binghamton netminder Chris Driedger with 33 shots the rest of the way.

With Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion, Asst. Randy Lee and Advisor Daniel Alfredsson in attendance, they most likely weren’t too pleased with the outcome, but perhaps were encouraged with White’s performance.

If you asked me in describing White’s performance in his pro debut in one word, I would have to say, adequate. And that’s a compliment for a player fresh off the collegiate circuit.

There were a few glitches along the way, but he didn’t seem too rattled as he was poised and didn’t look out of place. White quarterbacked the powerplay and did it without hurting the unit, making quick passes and smart reads. His skating looked decent, he battled hard and won the majority of his faceoffs, but there was very little physical play and he had a tendency to get rid of the puck in panic mode. Although it was only one game.

Adequate.

White started out the night centering Max McCormick and Mike Blunden but was soon moved up after the first period with Akeson and Francis Perron. It appeared Akeson and White had some good chemistry, but that’s the way Akes is, a playmaker.

In quick summary, I encourage Ottawa keep him here in Binghamton for the duration of the eight games remaining and foremost, be patient. He’s got a lot on his plate and there shouldn’t be a rush in judgement that he is NHL ready, at least not yet, but with his pro debut in front of the Ottawa brass in a new environment, I’d say he did an adequate job tonight.

Some other thoughts;

Colin White was buzzing all night tonight. Very clear hockey sense. He'll be great in the future #AHLS7S

— Emily (@EmilyRose474) March 30, 2017

Colin White looks like he belongs - impressive as this is his 1st AHL game! I don't see the common college to AHL stumbling. #BSens #AHLS7S

— Alicia S (@AliciaS20) March 30, 2017

If I wasn't watching him, White may not have stood out, but on a positive note, that's because he didn't make noticeable mistakes #AHLS7S

— Erin Lynn (@Bing_da_Bling) March 30, 2017

Colin White has good body positioning, aware of the puck, and passes well. Tentatively, I'd say he's the real deal. #BSens #Sens #AHLS7S

— Alicia S (@AliciaS20) March 30, 2017

🎥 Colin White shares his thoughts on playing in his first professional game as the #BSens fell to Syracuse 6-1. pic.twitter.com/ihTtDK70Bc

— Binghamton Senators (@SenatorsAHL) March 30, 2017

"I think he was the silver lining tonight and that was good to see." - Coach K on Colin White's debut. pic.twitter.com/CCuhcj0RpP

— Binghamton Senators (@SenatorsAHL) March 30, 2017

POST GAME NOTES

• The game featured four fights with two from defenseman Ben Harpur and a wild display of fisticuffs from McCormick, as he simply went nuts on rookie defenseman Dominik Masin near the end of the third period. Pure, raw frustrations in that tilt. Defenseman Guillaume Lepine handled forward John Kurtz in the other.
• Syracuse (34-23-6-5) with two quick goals at the start of the middle frame just about deflated any hopes of the Senators (25-39-2-2) in knocking out the division leaders as they simply went about their business the rest of the night.
• Former Senator Erik Condra wore the ‘C’ for the Crunch while another ex-Sens had the ‘A’ in that being defenseman Matt Taormina.
• Paul-Varone-Akeson, McCormick-White-Blunden, Perron-Nehring-Bailey, Boucher-Flanagan-Gagne. Englund/Harpur, Gormley/Beaudoin, Lepine/Carlisle. Rodewald, Rumble, Sieloff and Hagel all scratched for various reasons./

HIGHLIGHTS

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UPCOMING GAMES

Binghamton is off to The Rock for a weekend series with St. John’s on Friday and Saturday for the last appearance ever in Newfoundland against the IceCaps. After the game players and personal were seen loading the bus outside the team locker quarters.