After a brief cameo with the Hartford Wolf Pack at the end of the 2024-25 season, the young right-shot centerman came into training camp last month and forced the team’s hand with his strong play, earning a spot as the third line center for the Rangers. Thus far, Laba has appeared in six games for New York, posting two assists. Laba’s rise within the organizational depth chart was quick and impressive, and the solidly built Michigander has not looked out of place thus far, as his rugged frame and style of play have fit in nicely with the team.

After three impressive seasons with the NCAA’s Colorado College, where he wore the “A” during his Junior season, Laba was signed to an ELC and headed to the Hartford Wolf Pack to complete the 2024-25 season. In collegiate play, the right-shot center posted 26 points in 29 games, and in 11 games of AHL play, he posted five points. The 22 year old is likely to spend the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL, but he is ascending within a somewhat thin Center depth chart in the Rangers organization.

The Michigan native took a lot out of his experience at the pro level to finish out this past season, and after a full summer of training, he looks to impress in training camp and have an impactful season in 2025-26. Laba should be in line for plenty of ice time with Hartford, and if all goes well, it could result in a callup to the big club at some point along the way.

Laba signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Rangers after his NCAA season ended with Colorado College. The right-shot center has joined the Hartford Wolf Pack on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, wearing number 26, and kicked things off on a good note, scoring a goal in his AHL debut.

In his recently concluded Sophomore season of NCAA play, Laba was extremely impressive, improving drastically from his Freshman season. The Center led the charge on offense for a greatly improved Colorado College team, a team that narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Frozen Four tournament. Laba’s season eclipsed expectations, as he was selected a first-team all-NCHC forward, leading the conference in goals, game winning goals, and shorthanded goals in his 24 games. In 36 total games played with the Tigers during the 2023-2024 season, he posted 20 goals and 17 assists, 37 points, and showed great improvement on both ends of the ice. His point production nearly doubled from the 22 points that he scored in his Freshman season, and he went from a -18 rating to a +20 player. Laba plays a high-energy, agitating game, attacks the opposing net, and is noticeable for his relentless work ethic each time he hops over the boards. Laba has put his name into the mix as a prospect truly worth keeping an eye on. One would assume that he will spend one more season at the collegiate level, and then look to turn pro with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, as the organization will likely look to sign the Michigan native to his ELC at some point within the next several months.