On the eve of the regular season, the Columbus Blue Jackets bolstered their lineup by inking seasoned forward Kevin Labanc to a one-year pact worth $775,000. This move comes on the heels of an impressive preseason showcase, where Labanc, 28, tallied six goals, including a hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers, in his bid to crack the New Jersey Devils’ roster.
Throughout his 478-game NHL tenure with the San Jose Sharks from 2016-2024, Labanc amassed 82 goals, 225 points, and 217 penalty minutes, while averaging 14:24 of ice time per contest. The Brooklyn, New York native was originally drafted by the Sharks in the sixth round (171st overall) of the 2014 draft.
Labanc’s impressive résumé, which includes stints with the United States National Development Program in Michigan from 2011-13, caught the attention of Columbus’ president of hockey operations, Don Waddell. “Kevin has consistently demonstrated his ability to produce offense in this league,” Waddell noted. “His exceptional shooting and playmaking skills, combined with his strong character, make him an excellent fit for our team.”
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