Here's what I got on Joseph LaBate

He's a center/left wing; 6'5" 32 year old from Eagan, Minnesota.

In the 2023-24 season he played for Barys Astana in the KHL with 49 games. In those 49 games he netted 8 goals and 10 assists, ending at 18 points in total and 53 penalty minutes. Last season he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing 6 games in the NHL and 57 games in the AHL affliate. In his NHL games he was able to grab 1 assist and 10 penalty minutes; while in Cleveland he got 8 goals and 13 assists ending at 21 points with 81 penalty minutes in the regular season and 1 goal and 1 assist in the playoffs with 17 penalty minutes.

Labate was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL draft by the Vancouver Canucks where he played in the NCAA until 2015 when he finally joined the Canucks' AHL team, the Utica Comets. He was actually a bit of a cult figure back when he played for the Canucks before. His history with the Canucks is what makes him most excited to be back where it all started. He named Ryan Johnson and the Sedins as people he's excited to be working with again, having played with the Sedins back in the 2016-17 NHL season.

His hockey career has had it's fumbles, with him mostly attempting to play as an everyman. In Feburary of 2018 Labate suffered a hip injury that was nearly career-ending. Emotionally the toll was as bad as the physical toll, but eventually worked himself back to health and signed with the Belleville Senators. From there he continued to play for the Senators before bouncing to the Milwaukee Admirals then the Chicago Wolves and eventually the KHL where he played as a first line center.

The call from the Blue Jackets after his stint in the KHL Labate admits to have brought tears to his eyes. If you're not aware, in August of 2024 Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau sadly passed away. Johnny was part of the Blue Jackets organization at the time of his death and the team was dealing with his passing when Labate was signed. He says the team was extremely welcoming and united and is glad to have been part of it during that time.

Nowadays Labate describes his game as an everyday NHLer. He believes he'll be able to add some grit and sandpaper to the Canucks and many believe he'll have his time in the NHL this year as well. We've already seen Labate's game through some preseason games, having two fighting penalties in the last 4 games he's played, and he's already become a bit of a fan favourite.

For his little fun fact, he got engaged last July and is a catch and release fisher :) Also he may own property? Bit of an odd guy.