PHILADELPHIA — Colin White went from the press box to the penthouse.
A healthy scratch Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks, the Ottawa Senators’ rookie winger skated on the top line with Matt Duchene and Mike Hoffman during practice Friday and that’s likely where the 21-year-old White will start against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.
White, who is still searching for his first National Hockey League goal and point after appearing in 10 games, is well aware he’s getting a good opportunity with Bobby Ryan sidelined with a hand injury.
“It’s definitely exciting when that happens, but you take what’s given,” White said.
The fact White, drafted No. 21 overall in 2015, was able to board the plane for Friday’s flight was a positive. It had been expected he would be sent back to the American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville if he wasn’t going to dress in Philly.
The Senators are out of playoff contention, but they’d still like to win some games, and White hasn’t shown his offensive potential yet. He’s still learning the game at the NHL level after signing out of Boston College last spring and he knows there’s plenty of room for improvement.
“I think I’ve done some good things, but I think there’s definitely still some things to learn,” White said. “I think I’ve got to have more patience out there with the puck. There’s definitely some things I can pick up with video. Seeing that has really helped.
“Maybe getting the game off and being able to watch what’s happening will help me. It’s exciting to get back.”
White has had scoring opportunities, but hasn’t converted.
“It’s always good when you’re getting your chances,” he said. “If I wasn’t getting the chances, I’d be a little bit more worried. I’ve just got to bear down a little bit more, be stronger and hopefully I can get one here.”
Skating with skilled offensive players like Duchene and Hoffman should help.
“I’m aware what they bring. I think I just need to drive the net, work my butt off and be first on the puck. I know what I have to do to help them out,” White said.
bgarrioch@postmedia.com
Twitter.com/sungarrioch