Michael Latta

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Michael Latta

| image = Michael Latta 2016-03-01.JPG

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Latta with Washington Capitals in March 2016

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|5|25}}

| birth_place = St. Clements, Ontario, Canada

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 201

| position = Centre

| shoots = Right

| league =

| team = Free agent

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league =

| former_teams = Washington Capitals
Kunlun Red Star
Färjestad BK

| draft = 72nd overall

| draft_year = 2009

| draft_team = Nashville Predators

| career_start = 2010

| career_end =

}}

Michael Latta (born May 25, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Latta was selected by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 72nd overall, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

=Junior=

Prior to turning professional, Latta played major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Ottawa 67's and Guelph Storm.[http://predators.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8475247&view=bio Michael Latta Nashville Predators - 2011-2012 Bio - Nashville Predators - Team] He was drafted by the Nashville Predators on June 26, 2009, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.

=Professional=

After playing one more season in the OHL after being drafted, on April 14, 2010, Nashville signed Latta to a three-year, entry-level contract.{{cite web| url = http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=525493 | title = Nashville Predators sign prospect Latta | publisher = Nashville Predators | date = 2010-04-14 | accessdate = 2010-04-14}} He played three seasons with the Predators' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

During the 2012–13 season, on April 3, 2013, at the NHL trade deadline, Latta was traded to the Washington Capitals, along with Martin Erat, in exchange for prospect Filip Forsberg.{{cite web| url = http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=663885 | title = Capitals acquire Martin Erat and Michael Latta from Nashville | publisher = Washington Capitals | date = 2013-04-03 | accessdate = 2013-04-03}}

Latta made his NHL debut with the Capitals in the 2013–14 season. He scored his first career NHL goal on November 15, 2013, against the Detroit Red Wings.{{cite news |last1=Carrera |first1=Katie |title=Michael Latta records first NHL goal, helps key Caps' comeback against Red Wings |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capitals-insider/wp/2013/11/16/michael-latta-records-first-nhl-goal-helps-key-caps-comeback-against-red-wings/ |accessdate=July 18, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 16, 2013}}

On July 1, 2016, after not being retained by the Capitals, Latta signed a one-year deal as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings.{{cite web| url = http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888288 | title = Michael Latta heading to LA | publisher = Los Angeles Kings | date = 2016-07-01 | accessdate = 2016-07-01}} After competing in training camp and pre-season with the Kings, Latta was reassigned to begin the 2016–17 season with AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Latta featured in 29 games with the Reign for 6 points before he was traded without making an appearance for the Kings to the Chicago Blackhawks, in exchange for Cameron Schilling on January 21, 2017.{{cite web| url = http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blackhawks-acquire-michael-latta-kings-cam-schilling/ | title = Blackhawks acquire Michael Latta from Kings for Cam Schilling | publisher = Sportsnet.ca | date = 2017-01-21 | accessdate = 2017-01-21}} Latta played out the season with the Blackhawks AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, regaining his scoring touch in contributing with 16 points in 32 games.

As a restricted free agent, Latta was not extended a qualifying offer by the Blackhawks releasing him to free agency on June 26, 2017.{{cite web| url = https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2017/6/26/15873984/blackhawks-free-agents-qualifying-offers-ville-pokka-tomas-jurco-dennis-rasmussen | title = Blackhawks tender qualifying offers | publisher = secondcityhockey.com | date = 2017-06-26 | accessdate = 2017-06-26}} On July 4, 2017, Latta signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-sign-latta-to-one-year-contract/c-290292032 | title = Coyotes sign Latta to one-year contract | publisher = Arizona Coyotes | date = 2017-07-04 | accessdate = 2017-07-04}} On December 14, the Coyotes traded Latta to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Ryan Kujawinski.{{cite web|title=Devils acquire forward Michael Latta from Arizona|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-acquire-forward-michael-latta-from-arizona/c-294025232|website=NHL.com|accessdate=December 15, 2017|date=December 14, 2017}}

On July 18, 2018, having left the Devils as a free agent, Latta signed a one-year contract with Chinese club, Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).{{cite web |last1=Modi|first1=Namish |title=Kitchener's Michael Latta signs with KHL's HC Kunlun Red Star in China |url=https://www.kitchenerpost.ca/community-story/8748831-kitchener-s-michael-latta-signs-with-khl-s-kun-lun-red-star-in-china/ |website=kitchenerpost.com |accessdate=July 18, 2018 |date=July 18, 2018}}{{cite tweet|user=Latta17|number=1019587807222919169|date=July 18, 2018|title=Excited to start a new adventure in the KHL. Thanks to the Kunlun Red stars for giving me the opportunity. #summersover}}

Having left the KHL at the conclusion of his contract, Latta remained a free agent to start the 2019–20 season. On November 14, 2019, Latta agreed to join Swedish outfit, Färjestad BK of the SHL, on a one-year contract.{{cite web| publisher = Färjestad BK | url = https://www.farjestadbk.se/article/ph8cak2yx-23h01/michael-latta-klar-for-farjestad-bk | title = Michael Latta ready for Farjestad | date = November 14, 2019 | accessdate = November 14, 2019}}

Personal life

Latta is the cousin of Winnipeg Jets defenceman Logan Stanley.{{cite web|last1=Mahiban|first1=Dhiren|title=NHL draft: Logan Stanley's size his biggest asset|url=http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-flyers/nhl-draft-logan-stanleys-size-his-biggest-asset|website=nbcsports.com|accessdate=March 27, 2018|date=June 24, 2016}}{{cite web|author1=Mike G. Morreale|title=Defenseman Stanley using size to advantage|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/logan-stanley-using-size-to-advantage/c-280634252|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 27, 2018|date=May 12, 2016}}