Former Bandits captain Chris White signs with Rock

Chris White was a defenseman and team captain for the Bandits for the past four seasons. Photo Credit: Bll Wippert

Toronto Rock General Manager Terry Sanderson has announced the signing of unrestricted free agent defenseman Chris White to a one-year agreement, pending league approval. White played the previous 8 seasons for the Buffalo Bandits where he was the Captain for the past 4 seasons.

The 32-year old Peterborough, Ontario native is known as a gritty defender who plays on the edge. It’s an element the Rock felt was missing last season.

“Chris is the type of player you hate to play against,” said Sanderson. “As the rest of the saying goes, he’s also the type of player that you love to have on your team.”

In 145 career games, White has accumulated 7 goals and 53 assists for 60 points in 10 NLL seasons. He also has 319 career penalty minutes and collected 491 career loose balls including a career high of 84 in 2011. He has played in the NLL All-Star Game 4 times with his most recent appearance being the 2012 game that was hosted by the Bandits.

It’s no secret that the rivalry that exists between the Rock and the Bandits is arguably the most intense in the NLL. Now White hops to the other side of the fence to face a challenge he’s excited about.

“It was a tough decision to leave Buffalo,” said White. “However it’s an opportunity to join a great franchise and also play closer to home. It’s going to be tough to play against my old teammates, but once I get on the floor the focus is on winning games for the Toronto Rock.”

Coming to a veteran group of players that is deep with leaders with the likes of Cam Woods and Josh Sanderson among others, White plans to just be a piece of the puzzle when he pulls on a Rock jersey and goes to work.

“I think it’s going to be an easy adjustment,” said White about his new role when it comes to the locker room after serving as the captain of the Bandits. “I’ve played with Cam Woods and Josh and Phil Sanderson earlier in my career. I just need to bring my hard-nosed brand of lacrosse into Toronto. The character of the group with the Rock will fit my style and it should be a smooth transition.”