In a career spanning parts of nine seasons, White suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings.

The following year, however, White broke his left ankle in late October 2004 and thereby could not be afforded a spot on the 2004 World Junior team.

[1] White made his debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2005–06 season, scoring five points (one goal and four assists) in his first five career NHL games.

On January 31, 2010, White was traded, along with Jamal Mayers, Niklas Hagman and Matt Stajan, to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjöström and prospect Keith Aulie.

[3] White re-signed with the Flames during the off-season on a one-year contract worth $2.99 million, but was traded, along with Brett Sutter, to the Carolina Hurricanes in mid-November in exchange for Tom Kostopoulos and Anton Babchuk.

White played in 39 games for the Hurricanes, recording 11 assists before being dealt again three months later, this time to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a second-round pick in 2012.

The following season, shortened because due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout, saw White's role with the Red Wings dramatically reduced; he appeared in only 25 of the team's 48 games and scored only four points.

During 2012–13 lockout, White made controversial public comments about NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, referring to him as "an idiot...[who has] done nothing but damage the game."

On December 30, 2021, the Columbus River Dragons of the Federal Prospects Hockey League announced that they signed White to a contract.