Kevin Labanc Bio
Kevin Labanc is an American professional ice hockey right winger. Born on December 12, 1995, in Staten Island, New York, Labanc developed into an accomplished offensive player who rose through North American junior ranks and established himself in the National Hockey League before moving to the Kontinental Hockey League.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Labanc was born to Milan Labanc and his wife Anika after the family emigrated from Slovakia to the United States in 1994 and settled in Brooklyn. His father, Milan Labanc, is a former Slovak professional ice hockey player, and Kevin grew up around the sport on Staten Island and in Brooklyn.
Labanc first skated at the Staten Island Skating Pavilion and played youth hockey in New Jersey, including participation in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a New Jersey minor ice hockey team. He speaks Slovak and maintained close ties to his family and hometown while advancing through development programs.
Path to Hockey
Labanc progressed through local youth hockey in New Jersey and the Atlantic Junior Hockey League with the New Jersey Rockets before earning selection to the United States National Development Team Program. His time in the U.S. Development Program exposed him to top-tier junior competition and NHL scouting attention.
Rather than pursue collegiate hockey, Labanc moved to major junior play with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League after being selected by the Colts in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. His production with Barrie and steady development led to his selection by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round, 171st overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Kevin Labanc Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Labanc began his professional career after signing a three-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on March 9, 2016, and made a brief professional debut with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League in the club’s postseason. He started the 2016–17 season with the Barracuda and quickly produced offensively, scoring 10 points in six AHL games before receiving an NHL recall.
Labanc made his NHL debut for the San Jose Sharks on November 8, 2016, playing on a line with Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi in a 3–0 win over the Washington Capitals. He recorded his first NHL goal on November 17, 2016, assisted by Joe Thornton, against goaltender Jake Allen in a game versus the St. Louis Blues.
San Jose Sharks Breakthrough (2016–2024)
After establishing himself in the Sharks lineup, Labanc emerged as a skilled offensive winger with playmaking ability. He recorded his first NHL hat-trick on February 9, 2019, in a 5–2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers and finished the 2018–19 regular season with 17 goals and 56 points in 82 games, marking his most productive NHL season to date.
Labanc delivered a historic performance in the 2019 playoffs when he contributed on all four Sharks third-period goals in Game 7 of the first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, tallying one goal and three assists in a single period to help San Jose win in overtime. That Game 7 showing made Labanc the first player in NHL postseason history to record four points in a single period of a Game 7. He remained a key offensive contributor for San Jose through multiple seasons and signed contract extensions with the club, including a one-year deal in July 2019 and a four-year extension in October 2020.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2024–2025)
After becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024, Labanc accepted an invitation to New Jersey Devils training camp on a professional tryout in September 2024. Following a preseason in which he scored six goals in four games, he signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 5, 2024.
Labanc joined Columbus for the 2024–25 season, bringing veteran NHL experience and offensive skill to the Blue Jackets’ forward group. His short tenure in Columbus reflected the common movement of established NHL role players seeking stable roster roles during a period of roster transitions across the league.
Shanghai Dragons Era (2025–Present)
Ahead of the 2025–26 campaign, Labanc pursued additional opportunities and accepted a professional tryout with the Carolina Hurricanes but was released near the end of preseason. On October 8, 2025, he signed with the Shanghai Dragons of the Kontinental Hockey League to play the remainder of the 2025–26 KHL season, beginning a new chapter in his professional career outside North America.
The move to the Shanghai Dragons represents a transition to international club play in the KHL and an opportunity for Labanc to apply his NHL experience in a different competitive environment while contributing offensively for his new team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kevin Labanc plays as a right wing and shoots right. He is best known for playmaking instincts, on-ice vision and consistent offensive production, traits reflected in his high assist totals during junior play and his point production at the NHL level. Labanc’s ability to find seams and make plays in the offensive zone has defined his role as a supporting scorer and secondary playmaker.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include back-to-back 100-point seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts and leading the OHL in assists and points with 88 assists and 127 points in the 2015–16 season, earning the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy and the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as top overage player and top-scoring right winger respectively. At the NHL level, his February 9, 2019 hat-trick and the Game 7, four-point third-period performance stand out as signature moments.
Kevin Labanc Career Wins
Labanc’s career highlights span major junior and professional leagues. He compiled prolific scoring totals in the Ontario Hockey League before translating his offensive game to the NHL, where he recorded notable single-season production and playoff impact. His results reflect steady progression from junior star to established professional contributor.
OHL Highlights
During his time with the Barrie Colts, Labanc posted consecutive 100-point seasons and finished his junior career with 269 points in 198 OHL games. His 2015–16 overage season produced 127 points, led the league in assists with 88 and earned him top right-wing and overage player awards.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Labanc’s 2018–19 season produced 17 goals and 56 points in 82 games, his most productive campaign to date. His playoff contributions that spring, particularly the Game 7 performance against the Vegas Golden Knights, remain defining moments of his NHL tenure with the San Jose Sharks.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Beyond league totals, Labanc recorded memorable single-game achievements, including his first NHL hat-trick and multiple multi-point playoff performances. His junior awards and NHL postseason feats form the core of his career résumé.
Kevin Labanc Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kevin Labanc is the son of Milan Labanc and Anika. His parents emigrated from Slovakia and settled in Brooklyn, New York. Milan Labanc’s background as a Slovak professional hockey player provided an early hockey influence in Kevin’s development.
Personal Life
Labanc has maintained ties to his Brooklyn roots and speaks Slovak. Publicly available information lists his residence in Brooklyn, New York, and emphasizes his family connection and early community hockey experiences.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season cycle featured significant transitions for Labanc. After signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2024–25 season following a strong preseason on a professional tryout, he pursued further NHL opportunities ahead of 2025–26 with a Carolina Hurricanes professional tryout but was cut near the end of preseason.
In October 2025 Labanc signed with the Shanghai Dragons to join the Kontinental Hockey League for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, shifting his professional focus to the international circuit. The move provides a fresh platform for Labanc to contribute offensively and leverage his NHL experience while adapting to KHL style and travel demands.