Noah Laba Explained

Noah Laba
Birth Date:4 August 2003
Birth Place:Northville, Michigan, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lbs:191
Position:Forward
Catches:Right
League:NCAA
Team:Colorado College
Draft:111th overall
Draft Year:2022
Draft Team: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]

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

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.[9] During the tournament he appeared in one game as an injury replacement for Tyler Boucher and won a bronze medal.[10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2020–21Lincoln StarsUSHL469101972
2021–22Lincoln StarsUSHL5015243911511012
2022–23Colorado CollegeNCHC3511112248
2023–24Colorado CollegeNCHC3620173727
NCAA totals7131285975

International

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
All-NCHC First Team2024[11]
NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year2024[12]
AHCA West Second Team All-American2024[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Noah Laba . cctigers.com . April 18, 2024.
  2. Web site: Rangers prospect Noah Laba using time at Colorado College to continue development . . Carson . Field . January 19, 2023 . April 18, 2024.
  3. Web site: Incoming Freshman Noah Laba Drafted by the New York Rangers . cctigers.com . July 8, 2022 . April 18, 2024.
  4. Web site: CC Sophomore Noah Laba points to family as point of inspiration . . Hugh . Johnson . September 30, 2023 . April 18, 2024.
  5. Web site: NCHC Announces January Players of the Month . nchchockey.com . Michael . Weisman . January 30, 2024 . April 18, 2024.
  6. Web site: Colorado College sophomores Noah Laba, Kaidan Mbereko earn NCHC monthly awards . . Hugh . Johnson . January 30, 2024 . April 18, 2024.
  7. Web site: Tigers Nab NCHC-High Four Major Awards . cctigers.com . March 21, 2024 . April 18, 2024.
  8. Web site: Colorado College hockey's Kaidan Mbereko and Noah Laba named to All-American first and second teams . . Hugh . Johnson . April 12, 2024 . April 18, 2024.
  9. Web site: 2023 World Junior Championship rosters . NHL.com . Adam . Kimelman . December 12, 2022 . April 18, 2024.
  10. Web site: Laba replaces Boucher . Martin . Merk . IIHF.com . January 5, 2023 . April 18, 2024.
  11. Web site: NCHC Unveils 2023-2024 All-Conference Teams . nchchockey.com . Michael . Weisman . March 13, 2024 . April 18, 2024.
  12. Web site: NCHC Unveils 2023-2024 Individual Award Winners . nchchockey.com . March 21, 2024 . April 18, 2024.
  13. Web site: Top 25 men’s college hockey players earn distinction as CCM/AHCA Hockey All-Americans for 2023-24 season . USCHO.com . April 12, 2024 . April 18, 2024.