All-Star defender Chris White, captain of the Buffalo Bandits since 2009, has signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Rock, reports IL Indoor and In Lax We Trust.

According to Steve Bermel from IL Indoor, the Bandits actually matched Toronto’s offer to White, but since the defender was an unrestricted free agent, he could choose which of the teams he wanted to play for. By choosing the side that’s knocked Buffalo out of the playoffs in three straight seasons, White’s departure stings.

Although White failed to score in 2012 and registered only six assists, producing offense wasn’t his calling card. A tough, reliable stay-at-home defenseman who was valued as a vocal leader, White was selected to participate in the NLL All-Star Game in four of the last five seasons.

The Bandits lost to the Rock in the East Division Semifinal 7-6 last season and split the four-game season series. With the retirement of Bruce Codd and the trade of Glen Bryan to Buffalo, Troy Cordingley and the Rock were in search of a defenseman to add to their corps of Patrick Merrill, Sandy Chapman, Jesse Gamble, Stephen Hoar and Rob Marshall.

White’s departure leaves Buffalo a little thin in the back despite the off-season acquisitions of Bryan and Brendon Doran. Scott Self and Billy Dee Smith remain as the lynchpins of the team’s rearguard, but expect new GM Steve Dietrich to keep an eye on available defenders, whether it’s through free agency, trade or the Oct. 1 NLL Draft.

It was Buffalo’s offense that sputtered in the playoffs, as Anthony Cosmo was exceptional in front of a comfortable, confident defense.