{{Short description|American ice hockey player (born 2003)}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox ice hockey biography | name = Noah Laba | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|8|4}} | birth_place = Northville, Michigan, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 214 | position = Forward | catches = Right | league = NHL | team = New York Rangers | prospect_team = <!--Hartford Wolf Pack--> | prospect_league = AHL | former_teams = | ntl_team = | draft = 111th overall | draft_year = 2022 | draft_team = New York Rangers | career_start = 2025 | career_end = }} '''Noah Laba''' (born August 4, 2003) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the <!--Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the -->New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the fourth round, 111th overall, by the Rangers in the 2022 NHL entry draft.
==Playing career== Laba spent two seasons 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.<ref name="Bio">{{cite web |url=https://cctigers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/noah-laba/7050 |title=Noah Laba |website=cctigers.com |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015220/https://cctigers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/noah-laba/7050 |url-status=live }}</ref> Laba was drafted in the fourth round, 111th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2022 NHL entry draft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gazette.com/sports/cc-hockey/rangers-prospect-noah-laba-using-time-at-colorado-college-to-continue-development/article_8e761d10-9823-11ed-a6f9-d7bdbcccfd8d.html |title=Rangers prospect Noah Laba using time at Colorado College to continue development |newspaper=The Gazette |first=Carson |last=Field |date=January 19, 2023 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015223/https://gazette.com/sports/cc-hockey/rangers-prospect-noah-laba-using-time-at-colorado-college-to-continue-development/article_8e761d10-9823-11ed-a6f9-d7bdbcccfd8d.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cctigers.com/news/2022/7/8/mens-ice-hockey-incoming-freshman-noah-laba-drafted-by-the-new-york-rangers.aspx |title=Incoming Freshman Noah Laba Drafted by the New York Rangers |website=cctigers.com |date=July 8, 2022 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015220/https://cctigers.com/news/2022/7/8/mens-ice-hockey-incoming-freshman-noah-laba-drafted-by-the-new-york-rangers.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gazette.com/sports/cc-hockey/cc-sophomore-noah-laba-points-to-family-as-point-of-inspiration/article_3b98a668-5fd2-11ee-9bed-3b5df1ee4570.html |title=CC Sophomore Noah Laba points to family as point of inspiration |newspaper=The Gazette |first=Hugh |last=Johnson |date=September 30, 2023 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015224/https://gazette.com/sports/cc-hockey/cc-sophomore-noah-laba-points-to-family-as-point-of-inspiration/article_3b98a668-5fd2-11ee-9bed-3b5df1ee4570.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His 22 points were the most by Tigers freshman since Bryan Yoon recorded 26 points during the 2018–19 season.<ref name="Bio"/>
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nchchockey.com/news/2024/1/30/mens-ice-hockey-nchc-announces-january-players-of-the-month.aspx |title=NCHC Announces January Players of the Month |website=nchchockey.com |first=Michael |last=Weisman |date=January 30, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015218/https://nchchockey.com/news/2024/1/30/mens-ice-hockey-nchc-announces-january-players-of-the-month.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gazette.com/sports/cc-hockey/colorado-college-sophomores-noah-laba-kaidan-mbereko-earn-nchc-monthly-awards/article_ee598650-bfd6-11ee-8427-c37633079580.html |title=Colorado College sophomores Noah Laba, Kaidan Mbereko earn NCHC monthly awards |newspaper=The Gazette |first=Hugh |last=Johnson |date=January 30, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015223/https://gazette.com/sports/cc-hockey/colorado-college-sophomores-noah-laba-kaidan-mbereko-earn-nchc-monthly-awards/article_ee598650-bfd6-11ee-8427-c37633079580.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cctigers.com/news/2024/3/21/mens-ice-hockey-tigers-nab-nchc-high-four-major-awards.aspx |title=Tigers Nab NCHC-High Four Major Awards |website=cctigers.com |date=March 21, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015218/https://cctigers.com/news/2024/3/21/mens-ice-hockey-tigers-nab-nchc-high-four-major-awards.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gazette.com/sports/colorado-college-hockeys-kaidan-mbereko-and-noah-laba-named-to-all-american-first-and-second/article_b3de99c4-f91b-11ee-89b5-4fe208cd7da6.html |title=Colorado College hockey's Kaidan Mbereko and Noah Laba named to All-American first and second teams |newspaper=The Gazette |first=Hugh |last=Johnson |date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015225/https://gazette.com/sports/colorado-college-hockeys-kaidan-mbereko-and-noah-laba-named-to-all-american-first-and-second/article_b3de99c4-f91b-11ee-89b5-4fe208cd7da6.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
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."<ref>{{cite web|title=McKeen's 2024-25 NHL Yearbook – New York Rangers – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #23|author=Otten, Brock|author2=Hall, Dave|date=September 16, 2024|accessdate=November 10, 2024|publisher=McKeen's Hockey|url=https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2024-25-nhl-yearbook-york-rangers-top-15-prospect-profiles-organizational-rank-23/|archive-date=November 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110203735/https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2024-25-nhl-yearbook-york-rangers-top-15-prospect-profiles-organizational-rank-23/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=ncaa>{{cite web|title=The Rangers Best NCAA Prospect You Never Heard About|author=Fischler, Stan|publisher=The Hockey News|date=October 14, 2024|accessdate=October 17, 2024|url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/the-rangers-best-ncaa-prospect-you-never-heard-about|archive-date=November 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110205536/https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/the-rangers-best-ncaa-prospect-you-never-heard-about|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following completion of his junior season, Laba concluded his collegiate career with the Tigers by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers on March 19, 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-noah-laba | title = Rangers agree to terms with Noah Laba | publisher = New York Rangers | date = March 19, 2025 | accessdate = March 19, 2025 | archive-date = March 18, 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250318193032/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-noah-laba | url-status = live }}</ref> He played in 11 games for the Rangers AHL affiliate Hartford Wolfpack, and scored 3 goals and had 2 assists.<ref name=key>{{cite web|title=Rangers weakness in key area means prized prospect Noah Loba could reach NHL sooner|author=Walker, Mollie|date=September 13, 2025|accessdate=2025-09-15|publisher=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2025/09/13/sports/rangers-weakness-in-key-area-means-noah-loba-may-reach-nhl-sooner/|archive-date=September 15, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915124052/https://nypost.com/2025/09/13/sports/rangers-weakness-in-key-area-means-noah-loba-may-reach-nhl-sooner/|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored a goal on a breakaway on his first professional shot on goal.<ref name=key/>
Prior to the 2025-26 season, Vincent Z. Mercogliano and Peter Baugh of ''The Athletic'' rated Laba as the Rangers' 6th best prospect.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Rangers 2025-26 prospect rankings: Counting down Nos. 4-6|author1=Mercogliano, Vincent Z.|author2=Baugh, Peter|accessdate=2025-10-07|date=16 September 2025|publisher=The Athletic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6628866/2025/09/16/rangers-2025-26-prospect-rankings-laba-emery-othmann/|archive-date=October 20, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020095750/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6628866/2025/09/16/rangers-2025-26-prospect-rankings-laba-emery-othmann/|url-status=live}}</ref> Laba described himself as "a two-way center with a 200-foot game who can play well defensively and play fast through the neutral zone.".<ref name=key/> He was included in the Rangers' opening night roster after a strong training camp.<ref name=bonding>{{cite web|title=Rangers waste no time with bonding trip and roster surprises in tow|author=Walker, Mollie|date=October 6, 2025|accessdate=2025-10-07|publisher=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2025/10/06/sports/rangers-waste-no-time-with-bonding-trip-and-roster-surprises-in-tow/|archive-date=October 7, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007151117/https://nypost.com/2025/10/06/sports/rangers-waste-no-time-with-bonding-trip-and-roster-surprises-in-tow/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, Rangers' coach Mike Sullivan said:{{blockquote|I think he physically is capable of playing at this level. He’s big and he’s strong, he brings good size. He can really skate…He’s probably provided evidence to himself that he belongs, and I think you can see it in his confidence when he’s on the ice. We think he’s had a terrific camp. I think Labs has proven to us that he’s very capable of playing at this level. I think his physical stature gives him an advantage because physically I think he’s as big and as strong to play against these guys. And this is a big and strong league.<ref name=bonding/>}}
He made his NHL debut for the Rangers on October 7, 2025 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins-new-york-rangers-2025100713/|accessdate=2025-10-07|publisher=Yahoo!|archive-date=March 11, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260311055411/https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins-new-york-rangers-2025100713/|url-status=live}}</ref> He recorded his first NHL points with 2 assists in a game against the Penguins on October 11, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rangers' Carson Soucy exits early with upper-body injury|author=Walker, Mollie|date=October 12, 2025|accessdate=2025-10-12|publisher=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2025/10/12/sports/rangers-carson-soucy-exits-early-with-upper-body-injury/|archive-date=October 12, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012180444/https://nypost.com/2025/10/12/sports/rangers-carson-soucy-exits-early-with-upper-body-injury/|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored his first NHL goal against the Calgary Flames on October 26, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rangers' Noah Laba: Pots first NHL goal|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/rangers-noah-laba-pots-first-nhl-goal/|publisher=CBS Sports|accessdate=2025-10-27|date=October 26, 2025}}</ref> 30 games into his rookie season, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said of him "He brings a speed element with his size and his strength. When he brings some physicality to his game I think he’s a lot more effective." <ref name=physical>{{cite web|title=Physical Noah Laba giving Rangers’ third line a ‘courage’ boost it needs|author=Walker, Mollie|date=December 5, 2025|accessdate=2025-12-06|publisher=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2025/12/05/sports/physical-noah-laba-giving-rangers-third-line-a-boost-it-needs/|archive-date=December 7, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207175440/https://nypost.com/2025/12/05/sports/physical-noah-laba-giving-rangers-third-line-a-boost-it-needs/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sullivan also acknowledged that Laba needs to improve his puck management.<ref name=physical/>
==Personal life== Laba was born to Sarkis and Leslie Laba and has two brothers, Devin and Jaden, and two sisters, Nina and Ariana.<ref name="Bio"/> His father is originally from Lebanon and immigrated to Windsor, Ontario in his teens.<ref>{{cite web|title=CC Sophomore Noah Laba points to family as point of inspiration|url=https://gazette.com/2023/09/30/cc-sophomore-noah-laba-points-to-family-as-point-of-inspiration-3b98a668-5fd2-11ee-9bed-3b5df1ee4570/|date=September 30, 2025|last=Johnson|first=Hugh|publisher=The Denver Gazette|access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref>
==International play== {{MedalTableTop|name=}} {{MedalCountry|{{ihj|USA}}}} {{MedalSport|Ice hockey}} {{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}} {{MedalBronze|2023 Canada|}} {{MedalBottom}} 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-world-junior-championship-rosters/c-338699372 |title=2023 World Junior Championship rosters |website=NHL.com |first=Adam |last=Kimelman |date=December 12, 2022 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213122950/https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-world-junior-championship-rosters/c-338699372 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the tournament he appeared in one game as an injury replacement for Tyler Boucher and won a bronze medal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2023/wm20/news/41601/laba_replaces_boucher |title=Laba replaces Boucher |first=Martin |last=Merk |website=IIHF.com |date=January 5, 2023 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419015219/https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2023/wm20/news/41601/laba_replaces_boucher |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="101" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="101" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM |- | 2020–21 | Lincoln Stars | USHL | 46 || 9 || 10 || 19 || 72 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 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 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | Colorado College | NCHC | 36 || 20 || 17 || 37 || 27 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2024–25 | Colorado College | NCHC | 29 || 10 || 16 || 26 || 25 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2024–25 | Hartford Wolf Pack | AHL | 11 || 3 || 2 || 5 || 6 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2025–26 | New York Rangers | NHL | 74 || 9 || 15 || 24 || 31 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" |NHL totals ! 74 !! 9 !! 15 !! 24 !! 31 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |}
===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="98" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM |- | 2023 | United States | WJC | {{bronze3}} | 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4" | Junior totals ! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 |}
==Awards and honors== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" |College |- | All-NCHC First Team | 2024 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nchchockey.com/news/2024/3/13/mens-ice-hockey-nchc-unveils-2023-2024-all-conference-teams.aspx |title=NCHC Unveils 2023-2024 All-Conference Teams |website=nchchockey.com |first=Michael |last=Weisman |date=March 13, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314005832/https://nchchockey.com/news/2024/3/13/mens-ice-hockey-nchc-unveils-2023-2024-all-conference-teams.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year | 2024 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nchchockey.com/news/2024/3/22/mens-ice-hockey-nchc-unveils-2023-2024-individual-award-winners.aspx |title=NCHC Unveils 2023-2024 Individual Award Winners |website=nchchockey.com |date=March 21, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323042448/https://nchchockey.com/news/2024/3/22/mens-ice-hockey-nchc-unveils-2023-2024-individual-award-winners.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | AHCA West Second Team All-American | 2024 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uscho.com/2024/04/12/top-25-mens-college-hockey-players-earn-distinction-as-ccm-ahca-hockey-all-americans-for-2023-24-season/ |title=Top 25 men's college hockey players earn distinction as CCM/AHCA Hockey All-Americans for 2023-24 season |website=USCHO.com |date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418172255/https://www.uscho.com/2024/04/12/top-25-mens-college-hockey-players-earn-distinction-as-ccm-ahca-hockey-all-americans-for-2023-24-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{s-start}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | before = Jami Krannila | title = NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year | years = 2023–24 | after = Tim Washe}} {{succession box | before = Magnus Chrona | title = NCHC Three Stars Award | years = 2023–24 | after = Artem Shlaine}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laba, Noah}} Category:2003 births Category:Living people Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans Category:American men's ice hockey forwards Category:Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey players Category:Hartford Wolf Pack players Category:Ice hockey people from Michigan Category:Lincoln Stars players Category:New York Rangers draft picks Category:New York Rangers players Category:People from Northville, Michigan Category:21st-century American sportsmen