Noah Laba

Noah Laba
Born	(2003-08-04) August 4, 2003 (age 21) Northville, Michigan, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	191 lb (87 kg; 13 st 9 lb)
Position	Forward
Catches	Right
NCAA team	Colorado College
NHL draft	111th overall, 2022 New York Rangers

Noah Laba (born August 4, 2003) is an American college ice hockey forward for Colorado College of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was drafted in the fourth round, 111th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Laba spent twos season with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League (USHL). During the 2020–21 season, he recorded nine goals and ten assists in 46 games. During the 2021–22 season, he recorded 15 goals and 24 assists in 50 games. He finished sixth on the team in points and tied for fifth in goals.[1] Laba was drafted in the fourth round, 111th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.[2][3]

Laba began his collegiate career for Colorado College during the 2022–23 season. During his freshman year he recorded 11 goals and 11 assists in 35 games.[4] His 22 points were the most by Tigers freshman since Bryan Yoon recorded 26 points during the 2018–19 season.[1]

During the 2023–24 season, in his sophomore year, he recorded 20 goals and 17 assists in 36 games. During conference play, he led the NCHC with 16 goals and six game-winning goals. Laba led the NCHC with seven goals and three game-winning goals, all coming in overtime, to help Colorado College to a 6–2–0 record in January. He added three assists during the month for a ten-point January, averaging 1.25 points per game, and was named the NCHC Player of the Month for the month of January 2024.[5][6] Following the season he was named the NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year, a All-NCHC First Team selection, and an AHCA West Second Team All-American.[7][8]

Prior to the 2024-25 season, McKeen's Hockey rated him as the Rangers 7th best prospect, calling him a "prototypical, hard working, two-way center."[9] Scout Jesse Rubenstein called him the Rangers best NCAA prospect, even ahead of 2023 first round draft pick Gabe Perreault, praising his scoring, defense and faceoff skills.[10]

Personal life

Laba was born to Sarkis and Leslie Laba and has two brothers, Devin and Jaden, and two sisters, Nina and Ari.[1]

International play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2023 Canada

On December 12, 2022, Laba was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[11] During the tournament he appeared in one game as an injury replacement for Tyler Boucher and won a bronze medal.[12]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2020–21	Lincoln Stars	USHL		46	9	10	19	72		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Lincoln Stars	USHL		50	15	24	39	115		1	1	0	1	2
2022–23	Colorado College	NCHC		35	11	11	22	48		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Colorado College	NCHC		36	20	17	37	27		—	—	—	—	—
NCAA totals				71	31	28	59	75		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2023	United States	WJC			1	0	0	0	0
Junior totals					1	0	0	0	0

Awards and honors

Award	Year
College
All-NCHC First Team	2024	[13]
NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year	2024	[14]
AHCA West Second Team All-American	2024	[15]

References

1. "Noah Laba". cctigers.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
2. Field, Carson (January 19, 2023). "Rangers prospect Noah Laba using time at Colorado College to continue development". The Gazette. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
3. "Incoming Freshman Noah Laba Drafted by the New York Rangers". cctigers.com. July 8, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
4. Johnson, Hugh (September 30, 2023). "CC Sophomore Noah Laba points to family as point of inspiration". The Gazette. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
5. Weisman, Michael (January 30, 2024). "NCHC Announces January Players of the Month". nchchockey.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
6. Johnson, Hugh (January 30, 2024). "Colorado College sophomores Noah Laba, Kaidan Mbereko earn NCHC monthly awards". The Gazette. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
7. "Tigers Nab NCHC-High Four Major Awards". cctigers.com. March 21, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
8. Johnson, Hugh (April 12, 2024). "Colorado College hockey's Kaidan Mbereko and Noah Laba named to All-American first and second teams". The Gazette. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
9. Otten, Brock; Hall, Dave (September 16, 2024). "McKeen's 2024-25 NHL Yearbook – New York Rangers – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #23". McKeen's Hockey. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
10. Fischler, Stan (October 14, 2024). "The Rangers Best NCAA Prospect You Never Heard About". The Hockey News. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
11. Kimelman, Adam (December 12, 2022). "2023 World Junior Championship rosters". NHL.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
12. Merk, Martin (January 5, 2023). "Laba replaces Boucher". IIHF.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
13. Weisman, Michael (March 13, 2024). "NCHC Unveils 2023-2024 All-Conference Teams". nchchockey.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
14. "NCHC Unveils 2023-2024 Individual Award Winners". nchchockey.com. March 21, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
15. "Top 25 men's college hockey players earn distinction as CCM/AHCA Hockey All-Americans for 2023-24 season". USCHO.com. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Jami Krannila	NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year 2023–24	Succeeded by Incumbent