Top 25 Under 25, #16: Colin White
Selected with the 21st overall pick in this past year's entry draft, Colin White rolls in at number 16 in his first of seven potential years of contention.
Colin White is a Massachusets born centre, a product of the United States National Team Development Program and was selected by the Senators, 21st overall in the first round of the 2015 Draft. White was the Senator's second first rounder after Thomas Chabot was selected at 18th.
If White lives up to his potential, it sounds like he might wind up being the kind of player a lot of people around these parts love to love. He has been described as a two-way centre and has drawn comparisons to Patrice Bergeron. White has also been praised for, among other things, his 200-foot game, "outstanding skating", and high end skill.
Elite Prospect's description of the 18 year old speaks of an offensively dangerous player, with a great capacity for puck-possession:
"A prolific scoring threat, Colin White is a strong 3-zone player with an eye for scoring chances. Thinks the game at a high level and always seeks to make an impact on the ice, with or without the puck. Never seems to be outbodied and is an exceptional skater. Puck-possession is definitely a strength. All-in-all, a skilled, 200-foot player that does all of the little things right and is able to make a large impact on the game and its outcome"
Sounds great to me!
White scored the final goal of the 2015 Under-18 World Junior Championship in overtime to lift the U.S. over Finland for its sixth title in seven years. He finished with nine points (6-3—9) in seven games. He did see a fairly significant dip in his numbers last season, dropping to 42 points in 45 games last season from 63 points in 47 games the previous year. Some have stated that an injury plagued season which began with a case of mono could have hampered his production significantly. If that's the case, then perhaps the Senators managed to snag an undervalued player.
This young man has committed to play for Boston College for the coming season.
All in all Colin White seems like a sound prospect with a complete, well-rounded game and some great offensive upside. Unfortunately he lists his favourite show as "Two and a Half Men", so I don't see how this is possibly going to work out long term.