Noah Laba Bio
Noah Laba is an American professional ice hockey player who serves as a forward for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 4, 2003, in Northville, Michigan, Laba was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round, 111th overall, during the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. After developing his skills with the Lincoln Stars in the United States Hockey League (USHL), he spent three seasons at Colorado College before turning professional in 2025. Laba made his NHL debut with the Rangers in October 2025, becoming one of the organization’s most promising young prospects.
Early Life and Background
Noah Laba was born on August 4, 2003, in Northville, Michigan, to parents Sarkis Laba and Leslie Laba. He grew up with two brothers, Devin and Jaden, and two sisters, Nina and Ariana. His father, Sarkis Laba, is originally from Lebanon and immigrated to Windsor, Ontario, during his teenage years. This international family background provided Laba with a diverse upbringing in the suburbs of Detroit.
Laba began skating at a young age and developed his passion for hockey in Michigan’s youth hockey programs. His early exposure to the sport came during his childhood years in Northville, where he honed the fundamental skills that would later carry him through junior and collegiate hockey. His development during these formative years laid the foundation for his future as a two-way forward.
Path to Professional Hockey
Prior to joining the junior ranks, Laba played youth hockey in Michigan before entering the United States Hockey League. He joined the Lincoln Stars for the 2020-21 USHL season, making an immediate impact in his first year of junior hockey. During that season, he recorded nine goals and ten assists in 46 games, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively while adapting to the physical demands of the USHL.
His sophomore season with the Lincoln Stars proved to be a breakout year. During the 2021-22 campaign, Laba recorded 15 goals and 24 assists in 50 games, finishing sixth on the team in points and tied for fifth in goals. His strong performance caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection by the New York Rangers in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Following his USHL career, Laba committed to Colorado College to continue his development at the collegiate level.
Noah Laba Career
Colorado College Years (2022-2025)
Laba began his collegiate career with the Colorado College Tigers during the 2022-23 season. As a freshman, he made an immediate contribution to the team’s offense, recording 11 goals and 11 assists in 35 games. His 22 points that season marked the most by a Tigers freshman since Bryan Yoon recorded 26 points during the 2018-19 season, establishing Laba as a key building block for the program’s future.
His sophomore season in 2023-24 represented a significant leap in his development. Laba recorded 20 goals and 17 assists in 36 games, demonstrating substantial growth in his offensive production. During conference play, he led the NCHC with 16 goals and six game-winning goals. His exceptional performance during January 2024 was particularly noteworthy, as he led the conference with seven goals and three game-winning goals, all scored in overtime, helping Colorado College achieve a 6-2-0 record that month. He was named NCHC Player of the Month for January 2024, averaging 1.25 points per game during that stretch.
Following his standout sophomore campaign, Laba earned multiple honors, including NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year, All-NCHC First Team selection, and AHCA West Second Team All-American recognition. Prior to his junior season, McKeen’s Hockey rated him as the Rangers’ seventh-best prospect, describing him as a “prototypical, hard-working, two-way center.” Scout Jesse Rubenstein called him the Rangers’ best NCAA prospect, praising his scoring ability, defensive play, and faceoff skills.
New York Rangers Era (2025-Present)
Following the completion of his junior season at Colorado College, Laba signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers on March 19, 2025. He initially joined the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he played 11 games and recorded three goals and two assists. Notably, he scored a goal on a breakaway on his first professional shot on goal, demonstrating his readiness for the professional level.
Prior to the 2025-26 season, The Athletic’s Vincent Z. Mercogliano and Peter Baugh rated Laba as the Rangers’ sixth-best prospect. Laba described his own playing style as “a two-way center with a 200-foot game who can play well defensively and play fast through the neutral zone.” After a strong training camp, he earned a spot on the Rangers’ opening night roster.
Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan expressed confidence in Laba’s abilities, stating that his size, strength, and skating made him capable of competing at the NHL level. Sullivan noted that Laba’s physical stature provided him with an advantage in a league featuring big and strong players. He made his NHL debut on October 7, 2025, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Laba recorded his first NHL points with two assists in a game against the Penguins on October 11, 2025, and scored his first NHL goal against the Calgary Flames on October 26, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Laba is known as a prototypical two-way center with a 200-foot game. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 214 pounds, he combines size and strength with strong skating ability. His game is characterized by defensive responsibility, quick transitions through the neutral zone, and the capacity to win important faceoffs. Rangers coaches have noted his speed element, which complements his physical tools. They have also identified areas for development, particularly in puck management, as he continues to adjust to the pace and complexity of NHL competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Laba’s career has featured several significant milestones, including his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins in October 2025, his first professional goal with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and his first NHL goal against the Calgary Flames. His junior career with Lincoln Stars established him as a scoring threat, while his collegiate career at Colorado College earned him recognition as one of the top two-way forwards in the NCHC. His selection by the Rangers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and subsequent path to the NHL represents his most significant career achievement to date.
Noah Laba Career Highlights
Throughout his development from junior hockey through his early NHL career, Laba has accumulated notable statistics across multiple leagues. His progression from the USHL to the NCAA and ultimately to professional hockey demonstrates consistent offensive production and continuous improvement in his overall game.
Collegiate and Professional Highlights
At Colorado College, Laba finished his three-year collegiate career with impressive totals, including 31 goals and 28 assists across 71 games. His 20-goal sophomore season in 2023-24 represented his most productive collegiate year. At the professional level, he recorded three goals and two assists in 11 AHL games with Hartford Wolf Pack before joining the Rangers. His first professional goal came on a breakaway, showcasing his skill and composure in pressure situations. In his rookie NHL season, he quickly recorded his first goal and points, demonstrating his ability to contribute at the highest level.
International Experience
Laba represented the United States at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he was named to the men’s national junior team on December 12, 2022. During the tournament, he appeared in one game as an injury replacement for Tyler Boucher. The United States team won a bronze medal during the competition, giving Laba his first international medal at the junior level.
Honors and Recognition
Throughout his career, Laba has earned multiple honors recognizing his two-way play and offensive contributions. His accolades include NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year, All-NCHC First Team, and AHCA West Second Team All-American. He was also named NCHC Player of the Month for January 2024 following his outstanding performance during that stretch.
Noah Laba Family
Family Background
Noah Laba was born to Sarkis Laba and Leslie Laba in Northville, Michigan. His father, Sarkis Laba, immigrated to North America from Lebanon during his teenage years, settling in Windsor, Ontario, before eventually moving to Michigan. This international heritage distinguishes Laba among American hockey players and reflects his family’s diverse background.
Noah is not the only athlete in the family. He grew up alongside his four siblings: two brothers, Devin and Jaden, and two sisters, Nina and Ariana. The Laba family has provided Noah with a supportive environment throughout his development as a hockey player, from his early days in Michigan youth hockey through his rise to the NHL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Laba’s transition from collegiate hockey to professional competition at the highest level. After concluding his collegiate career with Colorado College in the spring, he signed with the New York Rangers and joined their AHL affiliate for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. His performance with the Hartford Wolf Pack, including three goals in 11 games, demonstrated his ability to compete professionally and earn opportunities for advancement.
Following a strong training camp with the Rangers in the fall of 2025, Laba earned a roster spot and made his NHL debut in October. His progression from junior hockey to the NHL has been marked by continuous development and steady improvement. Rangers coaches have praised his physical tools and his ability to play a 200-foot game, while also noting areas where he continues to develop, particularly in his puck management decisions.
As he continues his rookie season with the Rangers, Laba represents one of the organization’s most promising young prospects. His combination of size, skating, and two-way acumen positions him as a player with significant potential for long-term impact in the NHL. The Rangers’ investment in his development, combined with his strong work ethic and adaptability, suggests a bright future ahead for the young forward from Michigan.
