Rangers' Prospect Noah Laba Talks NHL ETA, Development, Body and More – Hockey Writers –

The New York Rangers have been one of the NHL's most successful teams in recent seasons, winning the 2024 President's Medal and now sitting in the top spot to begin the 2024-25 season. The focus of the fans was on the performance of the NHL team, which caused the success of many prospects to fly under the radar. One of those prospects is Noah Laba, a 21-year-old who has quietly emerged as one of the best players in college hockey.

Laba was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 Draft by the Rangers as a member of the Lincoln Stars in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He is a 6-foot-2 center with a smart, physical game, and a professional style. After his USHL career, he joined Colorado College and quickly became one of the program's most influential players.

Two years after being drafted, Laba received honors as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's (NCHC) Defensive Forward of the Year, the NCHC Three Stars Award, a spot on the NCHC First All-Star Team, and a Hobey Baker Award nomination. . The Minnesota native recently spoke with Michael Ostrower of the Hockey Writers about his USHL journey, his decision to join Colorado, and what his future might hold in New York City.

Their Gambling Paid Off

The USHL has developed many stars from the United States, including Kyle Connor, Macklin Celebrini, Owen Power, and others. Laba went undrafted in the 2020 USHL Draft—a major setback in his hockey career—but an invitation to training camp from one of the Lincoln Stars' assistant coaches encouraged him to continue his pursuit of a roster spot. After four years, he was not happy with the way everything had turned out.

“Obviously, Lincoln is really special to me,” Laba said. “I was never drafted to the USHL again [Lincoln’s] the assistant coach, Nick Peruzzi, invited me to the camp. I wasn't going to go but he strongly suggested that I go. The camp went well and I made the team. From then on, it was great. Even with the two different coaching staffs I had while I was in the program, the progress was great. Both training sticks have helped me on and off the ice, just understanding what it takes to play in the USHL and in college. The opportunity given to me by this program is great and the organization's focus on development helped me a lot.”

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After two solid seasons with the Stars, Laba had a choice for his next move. He had the option of joining a premier collegiate program, but chose Colorado College – a program coming off a 9-24-3 record. The decision might seem questionable, but the reasoning was logical.

“The first reason I joined [Colorado College] it was the coaching staff… I wanted to help turn around a struggling program and build something. I didn't want to just join an already successful program. I wanted to come here so I could get a lot of opportunities and try to build this program with my colleagues. I also had a few lifelong friends who all came here like Kaidan Mbereko and Ethan Straky, so being able to build a program with them was something I couldn't pass up.”

Alongside Straky, Laba was named assistant captain ahead of the 2024-25 season. After the announcement, head coach Kris Mayotte said “We are fortunate to have a locker room full of leaders. For these three to be voted in by their peers in these roles speaks to the impact they had [Colorado College] as players and as people.”

Colorado went 13-22-3 in Laba's freshman season, but that record didn't last long. In his second season, the team went 21-13-3, and now in 2024-25, they are ranked nationally.

When asked about the sudden development of the program, Laba said, “I think culture is a big thing. When we first entered [in 2022]more work was almost refused. It was not the norm. No one was held to a very high standard. Now we have leaders coming out and getting more time on the ice. We do so much in the little things. We also have motivation and confidence as a team to go to games and we are no longer afraid of the teams we were there [scared of] new Year. We are very confident and we believe that we have to win every game, especially when we play our game.”

Individually, Laba also took big steps in his second term. He finished the year with 20 goals and 37 points in 36 games and was widely recognized as one of the best two-pointers in college hockey.

21 seconds into OT, that's all it took to remind us how special Noah Laba is😆#CCTigers pic.twitter.com/JxdLhlKGVw

– CC Hockey (@CCTigerHKY) October 12, 2024

Discussing his growth, Laba said “it comes with time and experience.” It also comes with team success. With us winning a lot of games, one is more successful and I used that. I also become more comfortable with my teammates and develop chemistry with them. I've trained a lot over the summer and I'm continuing to work on my game, focusing on getting bigger and stronger. Taking those steps year after year. “

Laba's path to the guardians

Although Laba is focused on the college season, he knows the next step in his hockey career is approaching. As a member of the Rangers organization, he is well aware of the franchise's investment in his development. In the two years he has been working in this organization, he has been in constant contact with the development coaches, who see a lot of promise in his game.

“[The Rangers] had a really great development staff. Tanner Glass has been my primary contact. You are a great resource. He is very caring and knowledgeable. He really understands my game and helps me translate it into an NHL player style.”

With professional hockey knocking on the door, Laba had to make the difficult decision to return to Colorado for another season, despite having the opportunity to turn pro and fight for an NHL roster spot.

“Last season Rangers pushed hard to sign me,” said Laba. “It was a very difficult decision, but I decided to go back to college. But now I hope to get a contract at the end of this season and start my professional career. “

Laba's focus is currently on developing and succeeding in Colorado. Even with how far he has come in the past few years, he knows there is plenty of room for improvement and work left to achieve his dreams.

“Obviously there are a lot of places [in my game] I need to upgrade. The work is endless, especially if you want to play pro hockey. But I think my game should translate well to the professional level. I'm fast and physical, both of which are important in the NHL. My game now feels like it is translating well but I will continue to work and improve in all aspects of the game.”

Laba still has room to grow, but his recent improvement is an encouraging sign for the Rangers. He's an exciting new center with a premium style of play, giving fans a lot to look forward to when he signs an entry-level contract and finally makes his NHL debut.