# Noah Laba

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. Laba was drafted in the fourth round, 111th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2022 NHL entry draft.
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. His 22 points were the most by Tigers freshman since Bryan Yoon recorded 26 points during the 2018–19 season.
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. 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.
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." 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.

## Personal life

Laba was born to Sarkis and Leslie Laba and has two brothers, Devin and Jaden, and two sisters, Nina and Ari.

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

## Career statistics
### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2020–21 | Lincoln Stars | USHL | 46 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 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 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023–24 | Colorado College | NCHC | 36 | 20 | 17 | 37 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — |
| NCAA totals | NCAA totals | NCAA totals | 71 | 31 | 28 | 59 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — |

### International

| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2023 | United States | WJC | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

## Awards and honors

| Award | Year |
| College |||
| All-NCHC First Team | 2024 |
| NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year | 2024 |
| AHCA West Second Team All-American | 2024 |