UBC student signs one-day NHL contract

Today, UBC student Jordan White went to school, attended practice as starting goaltender of the men’s hockey team, and was just another student on campus.

Tonight, he’s an NHL player.

The San Jose Sharks signed Jordan White to a one-day, emergency backup contract at 2pm today to play for them tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.

How did this happen? Well, at practice this morning, Antero Niittymäki, the Sharks’ backup goaltender, was injured.

With their backup suddenly injured, and the Sharks’ minor league team out east, they had to scramble. NHL rules stipulate that a team must dress two goaltenders, and allow for the one-day contract as a loophole for situations like this.

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“It’s not about ‘how do we catch the cheaters?’ That’s not a forward way of thinking.” 

From my story at The Ubyssey:

“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,” he added.

So far this season for the UBC Thunderbirds, White has started every game for the team, and has a record of 7 wins and 11 losses, with a save percentage of 0.876.

Somewhat amazingly, this is the second UBC student to suit up for an NHL game on a one-day contract. On December 9, 2003, third-string T-Birds goalie Chris Levesque was signed by the Vancouver Canucks in similar fashion.