Staten Island hockey star Kevin Labanc is cashing in on a new contract. The 28-year-old New Dorp Beach resident parlayed a standout preseason with the New Jersey Devils into a one-year NHL pact with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Labanc, who previously spent eight seasons with the San Jose Sharks, had joined the Devils on a professional tryout deal last month. Over the weekend, he jumped at a $775,000 agreement with the Jackets.
The veteran forward piled up six goals in four preseason tilts with the Devils, including three in two games against the New York Rangers before collecting a hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers last week.
“Kevin Labanc has been a productive offensive player in this league for several years,” Columbus president of hockey operations Don Waddell said in a statement. “He has an excellent shot and playmaking ability and given his character we believe he will fit in very well with our group.”
Labanc is coming off a lackluster campaign, but isn’t far removed from a 56-point season.
He scored two goals and dished out seven assists in 46 games for the Sharks last season. However, he set career highs in 2018-19 with 17 goals and 39 assists in 82 games
The 5-foot-11 winger, who is a former sixth round draft pick, is the only Staten Islander to ever be drafted by an NHL franchise. For his career, the entirety of which had been spent with San Jose, he’s posted 82 goals and 143 assists (225 points) in 478 games.
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Borough native Zach Aston-Reese will not be on the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ opening day roster. The six-year vet was waived by the club and is expected to join its AHL affiliate – the Henderson Silver Knights – if he goes unclaimed by an NHL team. The 30-year-old centerman appeared in three NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings last season. He spent his first five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but has also played for the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He recorded 14 goals and 16 assists in 61 AHL contests last season. For his career, he’s collected 42 goals and 38 assists (80 points) in the NHL.
Monsignor Farrell alum Joe Gambardella reported to the Utica Comets of the AHL last week. The Eltingville native is a member of the New Jersey Devils organization and though he was listed on the NHL club’s preseason roster, he did not appear in a game while rehabbing a knee injury suffered last season. He last appeared in the NHL during the 2018-19 season with the Edmonton Oilers, but has become a key cog for Jersey’s AHL affiliate. The 30-year-old forward tallied 9 goals and 20 assists in 61 games for Utica last season.
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