AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Former Griffin Named NHL Player of the Month

Published on January 2, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


NEW YORK (Jan. 2, 2003) -- Ottawa center Todd White, who led the Senators in scoring during a 10-3-2-0 run that propelled the club to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, has been named the NHL Player of the Month for December. White recorded 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) and a +8 rating in 15 games.

The Senators (23-9-5-0) are the NHL's hottest club, posting a 18-3-4-0 record in their past 25 games and outscoring the opposition 91-51 in that span. In six games against their closest Eastern Conference pursuers in December -- clubs ranked second through fifth in the Conference standings -- Ottawa went 5-0-1-0 in games against New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Boston and Philadelphia.

White tallied points in 11 of 15 games, including a career-high six-game streak from Dec. 5-16. Highlights were three assists and a +2 rating in a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 7, two points (game-winning goal, one assist) and a +2 rating in a 5-2 victory at Boston Dec. 12 and two points (one goal, one assist) in a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils Dec. 14.

White edged St. Louis Blues defenseman Al MacInnis (four goals, 12 assists, +5 in 14 games), Vancouver Canucks left wing Markus Naslund (10 goals, 10 assists in 14 games), New York Islanders goaltender Chris Osgood (6-1-2, 1.41 goals-against average, two shutouts) and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Jocelyn Thibault (8-2-3, 1.89 goals-against average, two shutouts) for the award.

In his second full season with the Senators, White ranks fourth on the Senators in scoring with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) and is second on the club in plus-minus (+13). He is on pace to surpass single-season career highs in goals, assists and points (20-30--50) set last season.

Born in Katata, Ontario, site of the Corel Centre, White was a four-year standout at Clarkson University. In his senior year, 1996-97, White led the NCAA in scoring, was a finalist for Hobey Baker Award and graduated as the school's fourth all-time leading scorer.

White signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks in August, 1997, and was the International Hockey League's top rookie in 1997-98 with the Indianapolis Ice. He was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in January, 2000, before being signed as a free agent by the Senators in July, 2000.

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