Wranglers beef up blue line with acquisition of Gavin White from Dallas

The Calgary Wranglers acquired Gavin White from the Texas Stars in exchange for Jérémie Poirier. From Ontario, White is excited to be back in Canada.

With the Calgary Flames on a break, the Calgary Wranglers take centre stage in the city’s hockey community.

Friday night, the Wranglers take on the Tucson Roadrunners, who hold down the final playoff spot in the western conference, giving fans a chance to see the newest Wrangler in action.

Calgary acquired defenceman Gavin White from the Texas Stars in exchange for Jeremie Poirier.

White is from Brockville, Ontario and said he’s excited to be back playing in Canada.

“I was pretty excited for the new opportunity and growing up in Canada, it’s always been a dream to play for a Canadian franchise,” White said. “(I’ve) never been to Calgary before, but (I’ve) been here for a couple of days now and have nothing but good things to say about it -- so pretty much happy, so far!”

Change of scenery

White was a fourth round pick of the Stars in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He skates well, is a good defender and can move the puck.

White says he was looking for a change of scenery.

“You know, I think for me, life experience is a big thing and in pro hockey, there’s nothing better than moving around and seeing a bunch of different places and playing in different places.

“Ticking Calgary off the list is a pretty cool experience for myself.”

White has already suited up in one game for the Wranglers, in Bakersfield earlier this week.

Different dynamic

Head coach Brett Sutter thinks White can help the team.

“I think he adds a little bit of a different dynamic that we didn’t have back there (before he arrived),” Sutter said. “He’s able to get back to pucks really quick and transition quick, and then his defending, he’s able to close really quick and those are all things that we really value with our team.

“In the short time that we’ve had him, we like what we’ve seen and look forward to continuing to work with him.”

The Wranglers get another boost Friday as both Hunter Brzutewicz and Matvei Gridin have been sent down from the Flames.

They’re available to the Wranglers while the Flames are on the Olympic break. This is what the Flames want them to work on.

“Just be the best player out there and be ready for a call up,” said Gridin.

Brzutewicz emphasized the need to maintain consistency.

“Just keep the same pace and keep building on that,” he said. “Keep playing fast and create more offence and keep doing what I’ve been doing.

“Keep building every day.”