Kevin Labanc

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Kevin Labanc

| image = Kevin Labanc - Barrie Colts.jpg

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Labanc with the Barrie Colts in 2016

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|12|12}}

| birth_place = Staten Island, New York, U.S.

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lbs = 185

| position = Right wing

| shoots = Right

| league = NHL

| team = Columbus Blue Jackets

| former_teams = San Jose Sharks

| ntl_team = USA

| draft = 171st overall

| draft_year = 2014

| draft_team = San Jose Sharks

| career_start = 2016

| career_end =

}}

Kevin Labanc (born December 12, 1995) is a Slovak American professional ice hockey right winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He formerly played for the San Jose Sharks, who drafted him in the sixth round, 171st overall, of the 2014 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Labanc got his first taste of hockey at the Staten Island Skating Pavilion.{{cite web |title=Staten Island NHLer Kevin Labanc returns to face hometown team |url=https://www.silive.com/sports/2017/10/staten_island_nhler_kevin_laba.html |website=Staten Island Advance |date=October 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224105736/https://www.silive.com/sports/2017/10/staten_island_nhler_kevin_laba.html |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |url-status=live |last1=Regina |first1=Nick |access-date=February 24, 2023 }} As a youth, he played in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the New Jersey Devils minor ice hockey team.{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=January 5, 2019|archive-date=March 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}} He later played amateur junior hockey in New Jersey through the Youth Hockey League, to the Atlantic Junior Hockey League with the New Jersey Rockets before he was selected to play in the U.S. National Development Team Program through the United States Hockey League.

At the conclusion of his tenure in the U.S. Development Program, Labanc opted to forgo collegiate hockey and pursue a major junior career in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts. He was originally drafted by the Colts in the 2011 Priority Selection in the sixth round, 103rd overall. He scored 35 points in 65 games as a rookie in the 2013–14 season with the Colts and was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 2014 NHL entry draft, 171st overall.

In the following two season with the Colts, Labanc broke out offensively with back-to-back 100-point seasons. In the 2015–16 season, his overage year, Labanc led the Colts and the League with 88 assists and 127 points. He was awarded the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy and the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the top scoring right winger in the OHL.{{cite web| url = http://ontariohockeyleague.com/article/kevin-labanc-named-ohls-overage-player-of-the-year | title = Kevin Labanc named OHL's overage player of the year | publisher = Ontario Hockey League | date = April 20, 2016 | access-date = April 20, 2016}} He completed his junior career with the Colts amongst franchise leader's in points-per-game games and finished fourth overall in scoring with 269 points in just 198 games.

On March 9, 2016, Labanc was signed by the San Jose Sharks to a three-year entry-level contract.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/sharks-sign-forward-kevin-labanc/c-872745 | title = Sharks sign forward Kevin Labanc | publisher = San Jose Sharks | date = March 9, 2016 | access-date = March 9, 2016}} He was assigned to join AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, for their post-season run, making his professional debut in a solitary game.

After attending the Sharks' training camp in preparation for his first full professional season in 2016–17, Labanc was assigned to begin the year with the Barracuda. After scoring 10 points in just 6 games in the AHL, Labanc received his first recall to the San Jose Sharks on November 7, 2016.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/sharks-recall-forward-kevin-labanc/c-283502418 | title = Sharks recall forward Kevin Labanc | publisher = San Jose Sharks | date = November 7, 2016 | access-date = November 7, 2016}} He made his debut, featuring on a scoring line, alongside Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi, in a 3–0 victory over the Washington Capitals on November 8.{{cite web| url = http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/11/10/sharks-kevin-labanc-looks-to-build-on-solid-nhl-debut/ | title = Sharks' Kevin Labanc looks to build on solid debut | publisher = Mercury News | date = November 10, 2016 | access-date = November 10, 2016}} In his fifth game, Labanc scored his first NHL goal, assisted by Joe Thornton, against Jake Allen, in a 3–2 defeat to the St. Louis Blues on November 17, 2016.{{cite web| url = http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/sharks-kevin-labanc-grabs-first-nhl-goal/ | title = Sharks' Kevin Labanc grabs first NHL goal | work = CBS Sports | date = November 18, 2016 | access-date = November 18, 2016}}

On February 9, 2019, Labanc scored his first NHL hat-trick in a 5–2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers.{{cite web| url= https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/sharks-kevin-labanc-first-career-hat-trick/ | title = Sharks' Kevin Labanc: First career hat trick | work = CBS Sports | date = February 9, 2019 | access-date = February 13, 2019}} He finished the 2018–19 season with 17 goals and 56 points in 82 games. In Game 7 of the Sharks' first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Labanc contributed on all four Sharks' third period goals (one goal and three assists). The team eventually won the game in overtime, advancing to the second round. The feat made Labanc the first player in NHL postseason history to record four points in a single period of a Game 7.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Marcus |title=Kevin Labanc makes history in Sharks' crazy Game 7 comeback vs. Vegas |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/sharks/kevin-labanc-makes-history-sharks-crazy-game-7-comeback-vs-vegas |website=NBC Sports Bay Area |access-date=April 24, 2019}} For the 2019 postseason, the Sharks were eliminated in six games by the eventual champions, the St. Louis Blues, during the Western Conference Finals.{{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Tracey |title=Sharks can't overcome injuries, eliminated with Game 6 loss to Blues |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/san-jose-sharks-cant-overcome-losses-in-game-6-elimination-to-blues/c-307500296 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=May 22, 2019}} Overall, Labanc recorded four goals and five assists in 20 games.

On July 8, 2019, the Sharks re-signed Labanc to a one-year, $1 million contract extension.{{cite web |last1=Gretz |first1=Adam |title=Sharks re-sign RFA Labanc to one-year deal |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2019/07/08/sharks-re-sign-rfa-labanc-to-one-year-deal/ |website=NBC Sports |access-date=July 8, 2019}}

On October 10, 2020, the Sharks re-signed Labanc to a four-year, $18.9 million contract extension.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/2020-21-nhl-trades/c-289968698|title=Sharks Re-Sign Forward Kevin Labanc|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=October 10, 2020}}

As an unrestricted free agent during the 2024 offseason, Labanc went un-signed over the summer before accepting an invitation to attend the New Jersey Devils training camp for the {{nhly|2024|app=season}} on a professional tryout on September 16, 2024.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/labanc-signs-pto-with-devils-release-9-16-24 | title = Labanc to Join Devils Training Camp on PTO | publisher = New Jersey Devils | date = September 16, 2024 | access-date = September 17, 2024}} Following a preseason with New Jersey in which he scored six goals in four games, Labanc signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 5, 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-sign-kevin-labanc-to-one-year-contract |title=Blue Jackets sign RW Kevin Labanc to one-year contract |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |date=October 5, 2024}}

Personal life

Kevin Labanc is the son of Milan Labanc, a former Slovak professional ice hockey player and his wife Anika. They emigrated from Slovakia to the United States in 1994 and settled in Brooklyn.{{cite web |last1= Gackle |first1= Paul |title= A Sharks player makes his Dad's dream come true |url= https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/22/a-sharks-player-makes-his-dads-dream-come-true/ |website=The Mercury News |date= October 22, 2017}} He speaks Slovak.{{cite web |title= Brali by ste Kevina do slovenskej reprezentácie? |url= https://www.hockeyslovakia.sk/sk/article/brali-by-ste-kevina-do-slovenskej-reprezentacie |website=SZĽH |date= June 3, 2020}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Regular season

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Playoffs

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Season

! Team

! League

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2009–10

| New Jersey Colonials

| AYBHL

| 37

| 18

| 41

| 59

| 24

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2010–11

| New Jersey Rockets

| MetJHL

| 36

| 13

| 33

| 46

| 16

| 2

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 0

2010–11

| New Jersey Rockets

| AtJHL

| 5

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 2

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2011–12

| U.S. NTDP Juniors

| USHL

| 33

| 3

| 8

| 11

| 10

| 2

| 0

| 2

2011–12

| U.S. NTDP U17

| USDP

| 52

| 5

| 17

| 22

| 24

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2012–13

| U.S. NTDP Juniors

| USHL

| 26

| 3

| 6

| 9

| 8

| —

2012–13

| U.S. NTDP U17

| USDP

| 5

| 0

| 2

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2012–13

| U.S. NTDP U18

| USDP

| 62

| 9

| 12

| 21

| 28

| —

2013–14

| Barrie Colts

| OHL

| 65

| 11

| 24

| 35

| 30

| 11

| 3

| 4

| 7

| 4

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2014–15

| Barrie Colts

| OHL

| 68

| 31

| 76

| 107

| 55

| 9

| 2

| 4

| 6

| 8

2015–16

| Barrie Colts

| OHL

| 65

| 39

| 88

| 127

| 70

| 15

| 6

| 20

| 26

| 28

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015–16

| San Jose Barracuda

| AHL

| —

| 1

| 0

2016–17

| San Jose Barracuda

| AHL

| 19

| 6

| 13

| 19

| 24

| 15

| 3

| 4

| 7

| 6

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2016–17

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 55

| 8

| 12

| 20

| 22

| —

2017–18

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 77

| 11

| 29

| 40

| 32

| 10

| 1

| 4

| 5

| 2

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2017–18

| San Jose Barracuda

| AHL

| 2

| 1

| 3

| 4

| 2

| —

2018–19

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 82

| 17

| 39

| 56

| 36

| 20

| 4

| 5

| 9

| 14

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2019–20

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 70

| 14

| 19

| 33

| 38

| —

2020–21

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 55

| 12

| 16

| 28

| 31

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2021–22

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 21

| 3

| 6

| —

2022–23

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 72

| 15

| 18

| 33

| 36

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2023–24

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 46

| 2

| 7

| 9

| 16

| —

2024–25

| Columbus Blue Jackets

| NHL

| 34

| 2

| 10

| 12

| —

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" | NHL totals

! 512

! 84

! 153

! 237

! 229

! 30

! 5

! 9

! 14

! 16

{{MedalCountry|{{ih|USA}}}}

=International=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Year

! Team

! Event

! Result

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2012

| United States

| U17

| {{silver2}}

| 6

| 0

| 4

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2013

| United States

| WJC18

| {{silver2}}

| 7

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 0

2021

| United States

| WC

| {{bronze3}}

| 10

| 2

| 4

| 6

| 0

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="4" | Junior totals

! 13

! 1

! 0

! 1

! 4

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="4" | Senior totals

! 10

! 2

! 4

! 6

! 0

Awards and honours

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Year

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | OHL

Second All-Star Team

| 2016

|{{cite web| url = http://ontariohockeyleague.com/article/ohl-announces-2015-16-all-star-teams | title = OHL announces 2015–16 All-Star Teams | publisher = Ontario Hockey League | date = June 2, 2016 | access-date = June 2, 2016}}

Best P Plus–minus

| 2016

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy

| 2016

Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy

| 2016

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy

| 2016