Rangers sign Noah Laba to two-year, entry-level contract

The New York Rangers announced Tuesday that the club has signed center Noah Laba to a two-year, entry-level contract that will begin for the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Laba will report to the AHL affiliated Hartford Wolf Pack for the balance of the current campaign as part of an amateur tryout agreement.

Through 29 games this season with the NCAA’s Colorado College Tigers, Laba ranked second in team scoring with near point-per-game production counting 10 goals and 16 assists. In all, through three seasons at the collegiate level, Laba totaled 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points in 100 games, highlighted by the 2023-24 campaign where through 36 appearances he led the Tigers in all major offensive categories including 20 goals, 17 assists, and 37 points. At year’s end, Laba was named the NCHC’s best defensive forward and earned a spot on the First All-Star Team as well as a nomination for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top college player.

Prior to joining the Tigers, Laba spent a pair of seasons with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars where in 96 total outings he collected 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points. In 2021-22, Laba finished sixth in team scoring after registering 39 points counting 15 goals and 24 assists through 50 games.

Laba was originally chosen by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. A year later, the 21-year-old native of Northville, Mich., was part of the American squad that won gold at the 2023 World Juniors.

For the Rangers, on the season the club sits 33-29-6 to hold down the second wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference with 72 points. Following Sunday’s loss to the Edmonton Oilers, the Rangers will look to return to the win column when the squad retakes the ice Tuesday against the Calgary Flames.