Leafs Lock Up White For 3 Years

Well, tomorrow JFJ goes in front of the Board for his "State of the Team" address or to outline his "Plan" for 2007-2008. In the meantime, JFJ made sure to lock up young defenceman Ian White.

(May 8, 2007) -- John Ferguson, vice-president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that the club has signed defenceman Ian White to a three-year contract extension. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

White, 22, played in his first full NHL season for the Maple Leafs in 2006-07. In 76 games, White collected three goals and 23 assists for 26 points, along with 40 penalty minutes and a (+8) plus/minus rating. White finished the season tied for second in both assists and points among all NHL rookie defencemen. White also tied an NHL single game season high, when he earned a plus/minus rating of (+6) against the Bruins at Boston on January 4.

White has skated in 88 career games for Toronto, registering 32 points on four goals and 28 assists. He was one of 14 players who played for the Maple Leafs this season to have at one time played for the American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was originally Toronto’s sixth choice, 191st overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.