Devils Officially Ink Speers, White

According to the Devils’ official website, the team has come to terms on three-year, entry level deals for forward Blake Speers and defenseman Colton White. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ray Shero.

The bio for the 5-foot, 11-inch, 185-pound, 19-year-old Speers reads that he played the last three years with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, his hometown team. He led the Greyhounds last season “in all offensive categories” while also setting career highs. He scored 26 goals and 48 assists for 74 points in 68 games. In 12 playoff games, he led the Greyhounds with six goals (tied) and had four assists for 10 points.

His OHL stats read 69 goals and 112 assists for 181 points in 187 games played. Other honors received in junior hockey include playing in the 2015 CHL Top Prospects Game and 2014 OHL First All-Rookie Team.

The press release on the Devils’ site mentions that he was named team captain last year and was an alternate captain in 2014-15. The Devils also mentioned that he was named the OHL Player of the Week (week ending March 20). During that cycle, he had three goals, five assists for eight points in the three games he played.

The Devils’ press release also mentions his recent action in the 2016 Prospect Challenge at the HarborCenter in Buffalo. He had three goals and an assist for four points in two games played. Prior to playing for the Greyhounds, he skated for the Soo Thunder of the NOBHL, leading that league in goals with 86, assists with 81 and points with 167. He was also that league’s MVP in 2013 according to the Devils’ press release.

Speers was the Devils’ third round pick (67th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Speers’ Soo Greyhounds teammate, Colton White has also signed. He played the last three years with the Greyhounds and led their defensemen with nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points (all career highs as well) in 68 games last year. He had one goal and two assists for three points in 12 playoff games last season as well.

The 6-foot, 1-inch, 185-pound, 19-year-old native of London, Ontario was an alternate captain last season for the Greyhounds. His OHL totals include 15 goals, 47 assists for 62 points and 45 penalty minutes according to the Devils’ press release. He played in a career total of 192 OHL games. White also recently skated with the Devils at the 2016 Prospect Challenge in Buffalo.

White was drafted 97th overall in the fourth round in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *