(Jordan White photo credit Jayson Moonie)
Jordan White was just getting dressed for practice with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds when head coach Milan Dragicevic gave him some interesting news.
He services were being requested at Rogers Arena by the San Jose Sharks because backup goalie Antero Niittymaki had sustained a groin injury and the team couldn't summon a player from their farm team in time for Thursday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks.
That meant White, a Surrey native, was the only option left for the Sharks and they signed him to a one-game amateur tryout contract so he could backup San Jose starter Antti Niemi for the NHL contest at Rogers Arena.
An identical situation came up in 2004 when another UBC goaltender, Chris Levesque, had to back up for the Canucks when Dan Cloutier was injured in a gameday skate.
White, who compiled a 43-26-1 record over four BCHL seasons split between Penticton and Prince George, was given jersey number 35 by San Jose, took the pre-game skate and after throwing on a Sharks ball cap, settled in on the bench.
Niemi was solid in a 2-1 San Jose shootout victory so there was no opportunity for White to see action. In 18 games with the Thunderbirds this year, White is 7-7-4 with a 3.51 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage.
He is scheduled to start Friday night when the 'Birds host the University of Regina Cougars.
