Rangers sign 2022 draft pick Noah Laba to entry-level contract
One year after failing to do so, the New York Rangers signed 2022 draft pick Noah Laba to an entry-level contract Tuesday.
The 21-year-old center just completed his junior season at Colorado College. He signed a two-year contract which begins in 2025-26 and will report to Hartford of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout contract (ATO) to finish out this season.
The Rangers tried to sign Laba after his sophomore season last spring, but he opted to return to Colorado College for one more year. The Rangers selected Laba in the fourth round (No. 111 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Laba missed several games this season because of injury, but still appeared in 29 games and tied for the team lead with 10 goals and was second with 26 points. He also was a team-best plus-10 and won 57.3 percent of his face-offs.
Among his highlights this season, Laba recorded a hat trick against Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 17 and had four assists against Northern Michigan on Nov. 12. He had three points (one goal, two assists) when Colorado College lost to Denver in three games in the NCHC playoffs this week.
In 2023-24, Laba led Colorado College with 20 goals and 37 points in 36 games. He had seven game-winning goals as a sophomore.
Related: Rangers scratch prized rookie against Flames: ‘Good spot for a change’
Noah Laba to join other Rangers draft picks with AHL Hartford to finish out season
Photo courtesy Alan Selavka
The Rangers are not deep within the organization at the center position, so it’s understandable why they tried to get Laba to turn pro last year. He’s big (6-foot-2, 210 pounds), excellent in the face-off circle and skilled offensively.
Laba is also a solid defensive forward. He was named the NCHC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, when he was also Second Team All-American.
At Hartford, he’ll join fellow Rangers draft picks Bryce McConnell-Barker and Dylan Roobroeck playing center. McConnell-Barker was also a 2022 pick, selected in the third round (No. 97 overall). Roobroeck was selected in the sixth round (No. 178 overall) of the 2023 draft.
Hartford also has veteran forwards like Brendan Brisson, Bo Groulx and Jake Leschshyn who can play in the middle.
Laba could make his pro debut as early as Friday, when Hartford hosts Hershey at XL Center. They’re also home Saturday against Milwaukee. All told, Hartford has 11 games remaining in the regular season.
More About:New York Rangers News