Former Leaf resumes hockey career at nearly 40 years old

Former Leaf defenceman Ian White, who's NHL career was cut short due to an addiction to pain killers, has signed with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL. White's NHL career began in the 2005/2006 season where he skated in 12 games with the Leafs registering 6 points. He would go on to play 5 seasons with the Leafs before bouncing between the Flames, Hurricanes, Sharks and Red Wings until his career came to an end in the AHL during the 2014/2015 season.

After several years away, battling addiction, White made his return to semi-pro last year with the Columbus River Dragons of the FPHL and started this season with the Motor City Rockers of the same league. After registering 19 points in 26 games for the Rockers, he was awarded with a contract today with Norfolk - officially resuming his pro career at the age of 38.

While highly unlikely we see White lace them up in the NHL, it is a feel good story after what he has had to endure since his NHL career ended. In his career, he played in 503 games and registered 179 points (45g, 134a).