Recent Vancouver Canucks Call-Up Opens Up on His Return to NHL Action After 8.5 Years


Vancouver Canucks forward Joseph LaBate.

Photo credit: Perry Nelson – Imagn Images.

32-year-old centerman Joseph LaBate opened up on Tuesday afternoon ahead of his first game with the Vancouver Canucks after eight-and-a-half years away.The injury-riddled Vancouver Canucks return to the ice tonight as they’ll look to extend their winning streak to four games, but standing in their way is their former goaltender, Arturs Silovs and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are also on a roll.Because of their injury situation, Patrik Allvin had to make several roster moves on Monday, one of which involved forward Joseph LaBate, who has just 19 games of NHL experience under his belt and hasn’t appeared in a game for the Vancouver Canucks since the 2016-17 season.

Joseph LaBate opens up on first game with the Vancouver Canucks in 8.5 years

The Burnsville, Minnesota native is set to draw into the lineup for his 2025-26 season debut on the Canucks’ fourth line, playing alongside Nils Aman and Drew O’Connor.”DeBrusk-Petterssson-Garland
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After the morning skate, LaBate spoke with reporters where he expressed how “incredible” it is to finally suit up in a game in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks after all these years.

“It’s incredible. Honestly, it’s hard to put into words. If I think hard about it, it’s emotional. Yeah, it’s been a journey. But I’m just so happy to be here and help this team. I’ll do everything I can.” LaBate said according to Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre.

LaBate was a fourth round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and appeared in 13 games with them during the 2016-17 campaign, as mentioned, before leaving the organization in the summer of 2018 to join the AHL’s Belleville Senators.

Previously on Canucks Daily

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Recent Vancouver Canucks Call-Up Opens Up on His Return to NHL Action After 8.5 Years

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