Boise, ID (8/22/17) – Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms with forward A.J. White on an ECHL contract for the 2017-18 season.
White, 25, spent his rookie season last year split between the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins and the Atlanta Gladiators. The Dearborn, MI native earned two assists in 12 AHL games, and he posted five goals and 20 points in 49 games with the Gladiators. White also played five AHL games with the Milwaukee Admirals at the end of the 2015-16 season, following his senior season of college.
“I’m excited to be a part of a great organization with a great fan base,” said White. “I want to continue their winning ways.”
The 6-foot-2 forward had a four-game point streak in early February last season, racking up five assists, and he had another stretch with three goals and five points in five games in March.
“A.J. is a high-character, two-way forward who uses his size well and adds scoring depth to our lineup,” said Graham. “He competes at a high level and has experience leading winning teams in the past."
Prior to turning pro, White played four seasons of college hockey at UMass-Lowell, where he was captain during his senior year. From 2012 to 2016, White played in 153 games for the River Hawks, netting 28 goals and posting 79 points. White was a member of Lowell’s 2013 Hockey East Championship team.
“A.J. captained a very successful Lowell team a couple years ago and does an excellent job executing the details needed to win important games,” said Graham.
In his final year of college hockey in 2015-16, White put up career-best totals in goals (11), assists (14), and points (25). He was the recipient of the program’s Unsung Hero Award.
White is the eighth forward added to the Steelheads roster for the 2017-18 season.
Photo: Allan Sullivan