Kevin Labanc Bio
Kevin Labanc is an American professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Shanghai Dragons in the Kontinental Hockey League. Born on December 12, 1995, in Staten Island, New York, Labanc was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round, 171st overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and is known for his impressive on-ice skills, including a record-setting performance in the 2019 NHL playoffs.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Labanc grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he began skating at the Staten Island Skating Pavilion. His father, Milan Labanc, was a former Slovak professional ice hockey player who emigrated from Slovakia to the United States in 1994 with his wife Anika. The family settled in Brooklyn, and Kevin grew up immersed in hockey culture with Slovak heritage. He speaks Slovak fluently.
As a youth player, Labanc participated in the prestigious 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the New Jersey Devils minor ice hockey team. He continued his development through New Jersey’s Youth Hockey League before advancing to the Atlantic Junior Hockey League with the New Jersey Rockets. His strong performance led to his selection for the United States National Development Team Program, where he competed in the United States Hockey League.
Path to Professional Hockey
After completing his time with the U.S. Development Program, Labanc chose to forgo collegiate hockey and pursued a major junior career in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts. The Colts had originally drafted him in the sixth round, 103rd overall, during the 2011 Priority Selection. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season of 2013-14, recording 35 points in 65 games.
Labanc broke out offensively in his subsequent two seasons with the Colts, posting back-to-back 100-point seasons. During his overage year in 2015-16, he led both the Colts and the entire OHL with 88 assists and 127 points. His exceptional performance earned him the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy and the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy, recognizing him as the top scoring right winger in the league. He finished his junior career with 269 points in 198 games, ranking fourth overall in franchise scoring.
Kevin Labanc Career
San Jose Sharks (2016-2024)
On March 9, 2016, Labanc signed a three-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks. He was assigned to the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, for their postseason run and made his professional debut in a single game that playoff season.
After attending Sharks training camp, Labanc began the 2016-17 season with the Barracuda, scoring 10 points in just six games. He received his first NHL recall on November 7, 2016, and made his debut the following night in a 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals, playing on a scoring line with Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi. In his fifth NHL game on November 17, 2016, Labanc scored his first career NHL goal, assisted by Joe Thornton, in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Labanc established himself as a reliable scoring threat over subsequent seasons. On February 9, 2019, he recorded his first NHL hat trick during a 5-2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. That 2018-19 season, he finished with 17 goals and 56 points in 82 games. During the 2019 playoffs, Labanc achieved a historic feat in Game 7 of the Sharks’ first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. He contributed on all four Sharks third-period goals, recording one goal and three assists in a single period. This performance made him the first player in NHL postseason history to record four points in a single period of a Game 7. The Sharks won in overtime and advanced to the Western Conference Finals before being eliminated by the St. Louis Blues. Labanc finished the postseason with four goals and five assists in 20 games.
The Sharks re-signed Labanc to a one-year, $1 million contract on July 8, 2019. On October 10, 2020, they rewarded his development with a four-year, $18.9 million contract extension. Labanc continued to be a consistent offensive contributor for the Sharks through the 2023-24 season.
Columbus Blue Jackets (2024-2025)
Following the 2023-24 season, Labanc became an unrestricted free agent. After going unsigned through the summer, he accepted an invitation to attend the New Jersey Devils training camp on a professional tryout basis on September 16, 2024. During the preseason, he impressed by scoring six goals in four games. Labanc subsequently signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 5, 2024, continuing his NHL career with the franchise.
Shanghai Dragons (2025-Present)
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Labanc joined the Carolina Hurricanes for a professional tryout but was released near the end of the preseason. On October 8, 2025, he signed with the Shanghai Dragons of the Kontinental Hockey League to play for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, marking a new chapter in his professional career in international hockey.
Driving Style and Strengths
Labanc is recognized as an offensive-minded right winger with strong playmaking abilities and a accurate shot. His vision on the ice allows him to create scoring opportunities for teammates while also finishing chances himself. His hockey IQ and ability to contribute in high-pressure situations, exemplified by his historic playoff performance, highlight his value as a versatile scoring forward.
Notable Events and Milestones
Labanc’s most celebrated achievement remains his record-setting performance in Game 7 of the 2019 NHL Western Conference First Round against the Vegas Golden Knights. By recording four points in a single period of a Game 7, he etched his name into NHL postseason history as the first player to accomplish this feat. His first NHL hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers in February 2019 and his 127-point season with the Barrie Colts in 2015-16, which led the entire OHL, also stand out as significant career milestones.
Kevin Labanc Career Statistics
Labanc has built a solid professional career spanning multiple leagues, with his most productive years coming during his tenure with the San Jose Sharks. His junior career with the Barrie Colts featured two consecutive 100-point seasons, capped by an OHL-leading 127-point performance in his final junior year. His NHL career includes consistent scoring output across multiple seasons with the Sharks before his recent moves to the Blue Jackets and Dragons.
Key Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Labanc has demonstrated the ability to perform in crucial moments. His record-setting third-period explosion in Game 7 of the 2019 playoffs remains unmatched in NHL history. He won two major OHL trophies as the top scoring right winger and accumulated 269 points in just 198 games with the Barrie Colts, placing him fourth all-time in franchise scoring. His path from Staten Island youth hockey to NHL regular represents a steady progression through the developmental ranks.
Kevin Labanc Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Kevin Labanc comes from a hockey family with deep Slovak roots. His father, Milan Labanc, was a former Slovak professional ice hockey player who emigrated to the United States in 1994, settling in Brooklyn, New York. His mother is Anika Labanc. Kevin grew up bilingual, speaking both English and Slovak, and his Slovak heritage has remained an important part of his identity throughout his career.
Personal Life
Labanc continues to reside in the New York area, maintaining his connection to his Brooklyn roots. He remains active on social media, where he shares glimpses of his professional career with his followers. The support of his family, particularly his father’s hockey background, has been cited as influential in his development as a professional player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year began with Labanc playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing with the franchise in October 2024. He brought veteran experience and offensive skill to a Blue Jackets team looking for production from their forward group. Following his release from Carolina Hurricanes training camp before the 2025-26 season, Labanc pivoted to international hockey by signing with the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL.
Joining the Shanghai Dragons represents a significant transition to a new league and culture. The KHL is a highly competitive international circuit featuring top talent from Russia, Europe, and beyond. Labanc’s signing was for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, giving him an opportunity to establish himself in a different hockey environment while continuing his professional career at a high level.
The move to Shanghai allows Labanc to showcase his abilities on a global stage while contributing to a team in a growing hockey market. His experience from eight NHL seasons with the San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets provides a strong foundation as he adapts to the KHL’s style of play. His playmaking skills and offensive instincts should translate well to international competition, and the Dragons will look to him for veteran leadership and scoring contributions as the season progresses.