Colin White found a new home quickly.
The former New Jersey Devils defenseman, bought out yesterday, signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the San Jose Sharks. He'll continue to wear number five.
In ten years with the Devils, White recorded 20 goals and 105 assists in 743 regular season games. The team's second round pick, 46th overall, in the 1996 draft, was a member of the 2000 and 2003 Stanley Cup champion teams. He was the longest-tenured defenseman on the team.
White held no bad feelings toward the organization.
"I have too many (good) memories," White told Tom Gulitti of The Bergen Record. "Obviously, the Cups and getting drafted and just the teammates I played with, the trainers, the coaches, equipment guys. It was a big family there. I think that's the toughest part. Just having so many friends there, being there so long you get accustomed to going there. But, I'll keep in touch with all those guys and now it's just a different experience that I'm looking forward to."
White also fought through a career-threatening eye injury. During training camp in 2007, a puck struck the defenseman in the right eye. He missed 20 games during the 2007-08 regular season to recover. He complimented the Devils on the way they handled the situation.
"That was difficult, but they supported me," White told Gulitti. "It wasn't rushed or anything like that. It was just when I felt comfortable when I came back. I had their support and that made it a lot easier. They supported me throughout my years and time and time again. I have nothing but praise for the way I was treated there."
Devils' general manager Lou Lamoriello admitted the buyout of White was partly a budget move. White will return to the Prudential Center on October 21. The return will be a new experience.
"Definitely it will be," White said. "But it will be a chance for me to see my kids and have them come to the game and stuff like that. So, it will be an exciting time."