NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Warriors Alum A.J White to Appear in 2013 Frozen Four

April 2, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Michigan Warriors News Release


In 2010, A.J White got his first taste of junior hockey when he was drafted by the Michigan Warriors. White had played the previous two years with Compuware U18 (MWEHL) where he put up 36 points in 81 career games. White became a nice addition for the Warriors in his rookie season, putting up 35 points in 55 games played in 2010-11. In the first round of the playoffs, White became the first Warrior to score an overtime goal to beat Traverse City, 3-2 in game 3. White was 3rd on the Warriors in playoff scoring in a season that saw the Warriors lose to Fairbanks in the National Championship game.

White came back for the 2011-12 season on a mission. He lead the Warriors in scoring with 50 points in 60 games. It would not be enough to propel the Warriors back to the glory they had enjoyed in the season prior. They were beaten in the first round of the playoffs by Port Huron. White had received many Division 1 offers but chose UMass-Lowell. Now, A.J is a little over a week away from playing in the biggest game of his life. White and his UMass-Lowell RiverHawks are a victory away from playing in the NCAA Division I National Championship.

"It is really exciting," said White in a recent interview. "It really has not sunk in yet but we have to put it behind us and start to prepare for next week,"

In his freshman year, White put up 14 points in 32 apparenaces. He was second on the team in freshman scoring, trailing only Scott Wilson, who lead the entire squad. White was not surprised that he enjoyed the emmense amount of success he did in his freshman year, "I think everyone goes in to the season expecting to have a good year, and I was lucky enough to mesh with two very good players," said White. "I do not think i would have had much success without them,"

When White left the Warriors after the 2011-12 season, he was the all-time leader in goals, assists, and points. White still holds the all-time lead in goals, but was passed in the assists and points categories by captain Martin Gruse. "I actually have not had a chance to talk to him (Gruse) about it, but I am certainly proud of him. He is a great player, as well as a great guy,"

White and his UMass-Lowell Riverhawks will take on Yale in the National semifinals, April 11th from Pittsburgh. Though White is basking in his success at UMass-Lowell, he remembers where he got his start, "It was a tough decision leaving Flint and the Warriors, but I felt the Warriors and the league helped prepare me for this,"

If White and the Riverhawks win the NCAA Division I National Championship, he will become the second Warriors alum to win a National title this season. Derek Knetter (2011-12) helped the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to the NCAA Division III National Championship earlier in March.

• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...

North American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central