This edition of the New York Rangers prospect watch takes a look at Noah Laba. The New York Rangers selected Noah Laba with the 111th overall in the 4th round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and looks like he could be a steal! At 6’2 and 195 pounds his pre-draft scouting report was that he was a power forward that used his body and was difficult to play against. In his first season of college hockey, he is proving the scouting report true. I had a chance to sit down with the Rangers up and coming prospect last week.
Colorado College and W.J.C.
Laba had two solid seasons in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars before committing to Colorado College. In his freshman year at CC, he has been outstanding. He started the season off hot and was named the NCHC rookie of the week in his first week of college hockey. He continued his strong play through the first half of the season and was invited to Team USA’s U20 World Junior Championship camp. Initially, he was seen as a long shot to make the team but Laba’s hard work and grinding style of play earned him a spot on the roster. Laba would help Team USA capture a bronze medal at the tournament.
Freshman Production
Laba has been one of the best freshmen this season at the NCHC. He has also been one of the best players for Colorado College. This season he ranks towards the top of a few team categories:
Goals (11)- 2nd on the team
Assists (10)- 5th on the team
Points (21)- 2nd on the team
Penalty Minutes (44)- Leads the team
He is also in the top 10 in a couple of NCHC conference statistics:
Shooting Percentage (20%)- 8th in the NCHC
Face-off Percentage (55%)- 7th in the NCHC
Playoff Heroics
Colorado College entered the NCHC playoffs as a #7 seed. Seen as a huge underdog against the #2 seed Western Michigan Broncos they pulled off the series upset! In Game One of the best of three, Laba provided the game-winning assist. He was also dominant in the face-off circle. Winning a game-high 10 face-offs at a 71.4% clip. In Game Two Laba scored his 11th goal of the season to give CC Tigers a 2-1 lead, but the game would go to overtime, where the Tigers would win. They became the first #7 seed to advance to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
Different Noah, Same Result!
Laba puts the Tigers up 2-1#CCTigers pic.twitter.com/bRSbCKfdLs
— CC Hockey (@CCTigerHKY) March 12, 2023
New York Rangers Future
The 19-year-old is still a few years away from playing on Broadway. I asked Noah for a self-scouting report and a player on the current Rangers that he wants to emulate. His choice of him: Filip Chytil.
2022 New York Rangers draft pick Noah Laba is having a great freshman season at Colorado College. He gives a scouting report on himself & also shares what current Rangers player he wants to model his game after.
Episode Link⬇️https://t.co/VEueJtbOHP#NYR #hockeytwitter #cctigers pic.twitter.com/zCiKxT4rY6— The Broadway Hat Podcast (@Broadwayhatpod) March 8, 2023
Not a bad choice! I think the New York Rangers and their fans would be thrilled if Noah Laba turned out like #72. If you want to watch Laba’s next game it will be on CBS Sports Network Friday, March 17th, at 5 pm EST.
Be sure to bookmark our hockey page for hockey coverage and follow Belly Up Hockey on Twitter: @BellyUpHockey. Follow me on Twitter for more takes on the New York Rangers and USA Hockey: @KHallNY. You can also listen to my NY Rangers podcast The Broadway Hat Podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. for Rangers news and interviews with past and current players.
