UBC goalie get's the call

VANCOUVER - Like every hockey player growing up in Canada, UBC netminder Jordan White always dreamed of playing in the NHL. Tonight, as an emergency back-up for the San Jose Sharks, he is going to realize that dream.

White, of Surrey, B.C., is in his second year with the T-Birds and is the the squad's no. 1 goalie. He's started every conference game for UBC in 2010-11 and has a record of 7-7-4 with a 3.51 GAA and .876 save percentage.

He got the news on Thursday as he was preparing for practice around noon, getting called into UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic's office before the team was about to hit the ice for their final tune-up leading into their weekend series against the Regina Cougars.

"Coach called me into his office and told me the situation. At first, I was just trying to put it into perspective. You've heard about these stories on TV or in the papers and I'm looking forward to the experience and taking it for what it is," said White.

Due to league rules, White had to sign all the paperwork before 2:00 p.m. In order to meet these deadlines, he actually had to step off the ice during practice to get everything in order before returning to finish practice.

UBC, who are in the midst of a jam packed playoff race in the Canada West, will be relying on White for a big weekend against the Cougars.

"Tonight can only help and is a great learning experience. I'm going to see how the best professionals in the world work their trade. Hopefully I can take a couple of pointers so I can be prepared for our games this weekend," said White, who is set to start for the T-Birds on Friday.

White is the second UBC goalie to earn a call up to the NHL, with Chris Levesque earning the honour with the Vancouver Canucks back on December 9, 2003.

Unlike Levesque, tonight White will be sitting across from his hometown and favourite team but he's ready for that challenge.

"I can be a Canucks fan every other night but tonight's I'm going to rooting for the guys on the bench with me," added White.

gothunderbirds.ca

NHL.com