18 Days Til Boston College Hockey: Get To Know #18, Colin White

With 18 days until BC laces up the skates against Army in West Point, we profile a freshman who will be central to BC's hopes this coming season.

#18 Colin White, Forward

Class Year: Freshman
Height: 6'0''
Weight: 183
Hometown: Hanover, MA

Before BC:

White plied his trade for the US National Team Development Program last year, including starring in the U18 World Championships. He has represented the US at multiple youth levels. Before going to the USNTDP, he played at Nobles in Dedham, MA.

Fun facts:

- Colin White was drafted in the first round, #21 overall, by the Ottawa Senators in this year's NHL draft.

- Colin's father Mark played football at Georgia Tech and is in the Georgia Tech hall of fame

- #18 was last worn by Michael Sit for the past four years

2014-2015 in review:

White scored the game winning goal for the US Under 18 team at the IIHF U18 World Championship last year (assisted by Jeremy Bracco!), highlighting a phenomenal season for the US U18s in which White scored 54 points in 54 games.

2015-2016 outlook:

There are a lot of reasons to be excited about Colin White this season. He was ranked the #1 incoming freshman in college hockey by ISS just last week. He was drafted in the first round at #21 overall, and some thought even that was a steal, with the potential for White to be a Top 20 pick. He plays center, a position of need.

But what possibly has me the most excited about White is how often the name "Patrice Bergeron" is mentioned when people are talking about comparables for White. It was mentioned during the NHL draft; Bergeron's name pops up all over Google if you're looking up scouting reports on White; and White mentions Bergeron's one of his favorite players to watch.

Needless to say, I'm a huge fan of the Bruins center, and a player with a Bergeron-style skillset would make any team a lot better. Here's a scouting report from Elite Prospects:

A prolific scoring threat, Colin White is a strong 3-zone player with an eye for scoring chances. Thinks the game at a high level and always seeks to make an impact on the ice, with or without the puck. Never seems to be outbodied and is an exceptional skater. Puck-possession is definitely a strength. All-in-all, a skilled, 200-foot player that does all of the little things right and is able to make a large impact on the game and its outcome.

Obviously, you don't want to set expectations too high on a freshman, but that scouting report reads a bit like a combination of the game Billy Arnold brought to BC but from a guy who's considered to have an even higher level NHL-caliber pedigree

I am guessing White will start off centering the second line and will probably get significant time on special teams. Can he be a prolific player for BC right away? I think so... and we're only a few weeks away from finding out.

Links:

Twitter: @colinwhite37

MyNHLDraft.com draft profile and scouting report for Colin White

EliteProspects: Colin White

Highlights:

Here's highlights from the U18 World Championship final, USA vs. Finland, including Colin White scoring the game winning goal.

USA vs. Finland - 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Gold Medal Game from IIHF on Vimeo.

Next up:

#17Jeremy Bracco - Tuesday, 9/22