white made his nhl debut in a call-up with the montreal canadiens on november 5, 2009 against the boston bruins, recording an assist. he was called up once again for a game against the ottawa senators the following month on december 8. white played the entirety of the first period before being pulled from the game after the nhl noticed he was playing, despite the canadiens not having properly reported his call-up to the league before the 5 p.m. deadline.