Canucks' Joseph LaBate: Nets two goals in AHL loss
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LaBate scored twice in AHL Abbotsford's 7-3 loss to Henderson on Sunday.
LaBate has a pair of two-goal games for Abbotsford this year, but he has added just one assist in the other seven contests. The Canucks' NHL roster has been crushed by injuries early on, and that has in turn weakened Abbotsford's roster as well. LaBate made one appearance during a week-long stint with Vancouver in October, but it's unclear if he'll be considered for another call-up if the Canucks' injury woes don't fade.
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Canucks' Joseph LaBate: Headed back to Abbotsford
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LaBate has been assigned to AHL Abbotsford by the Canucks, the team announced Sunday.
The 32-year-old played in one game during his NHL stint, registering two shots on goal during 9:32 of ice time Oct. 21 against the Penguins. LaBate will return to the AHL, where he has two goals and one assist in four games so far.
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Canucks' Joseph LaBate: Called up by Vancouver
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LaBate was recalled from AHL Abbotsford on Monday.
LaBate was sent to the minors ahead of the regular season, but he'll rejoin the NHL club to help fill in after Jonathan Lekkerimaki (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Monday. LaBate made six regular-season appearances for the Blue Jackets last year, recording an assist, 14 hits, 11 blocked shots and 10 PIM while averaging 9:06 of ice time.
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Canucks' Joseph LaBate: Pots pair in minor-league win
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LaBate scored two goals in AHL Abbotsford's 4-2 win over Henderson on Saturday.
LaBate is a journeyman forward, and that journey has come full circle in British Columbia. He was drafted in the fourth round in 2011 by the Canucks, and he's back with the organization to provide veteran depth for the farm team. LaBate had just 21 points in 51 regular-season outings for AHL Cleveland in 2024-25, though he also picked up an assist in six outings with the Blue Jackets after an eight-year gap between NHL appearances. Given the Canucks' mediocre forward depth in the NHL, LaBate could get a call-up this season.
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Canucks' Joseph LaBate: Lands on waivers
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LaBate was placed on waivers by the Canucks on Monday, James Mirtle of The Athletic reports.
LaBate was unable to secure a spot on Vancouver's Opening Night roster after signing a two-way contract with the team in July. He made 51 regular-season appearances for AHL Cleveland last year, and he recorded eight goals, 13 assists and 81 PIM. If he clears waivers, he'll presumably head back to the AHL for the start of the regular season.
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Canucks' Joseph LaBate: Headed to Vancouver
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LaBate signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canucks, the team announced Tuesday.
LaBate has rejoined the team that gave him his NHL start back in 2016-17, but he likely won't begin his second stint with the organization in the NHL. The 32-year-old will probably instead start with AHL Abbotsford. Last year in the AHL with Cleveland, the Blue Jackets' affiliate, he scored eight goals and 13 assists in 51 regular-season games.
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Blue Jackets' Joseph LaBate: Sent to AHL
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LaBate was loaned to AHL Cleveland on Friday.
LaBate spent the past two weeks with Columbus and recorded an assist, 14 hits, 11 blocked shots and 10 PIM while averaging 9:06 of ice time over six appearances. The Blue Jackets are still dealing with several injuries among their group of forwards, so it's possible that LaBate returns to the NHL club soon. However, Friday's move gives the team flexibility to move him between the AHL and NHL as the season winds down.
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Blue Jackets' Joseph LaBate: Earns first career point
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LaBate notched an assist and blocked three shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Red Wings.
LaBate looked to be a career AHL player until the Blue Jackets signed him to a two-way deal in November. He's been with the big club since the 4 Nations Face-Off ended, and he's now earned his first NHL helper when he assisted on Sean Kuraly's go-ahead goal in the second period Thursday. LaBate's only previous NHL experience came in the 2016-17 campaign with the Canucks, when he logged 13 appearances. He's unlikely to make much of a scoring impact from the fourth line, but he plays a heavy game and will help bolster the Blue Jackets' depth until some of their injured forwards can return.
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Blue Jackets' Joseph LaBate: Up from minors
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LaBate was called up by Columbus on Thursday, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.
LaBate has six goals, 13 points and 49 PIM over 33 appearances with AHL Cleveland in 2024-25. The 31-year-old might serve in a bottom-six capacity against Chicago on Saturday, depending on the availability of Boone Jenner (shoulder), Kirill Marchenko (jaw) and Kevin Labanc (upper body).
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Blue Jackets' Joseph LaBate: Signs two-way contract
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LaBate signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets on Friday. He was also put on waivers for the purposes of sending him to AHL Cleveland.
LaBate has a goal, four points and six PIM in five appearances with AHL Cleveland this season. The 31-year-old is unlikely to play for Columbus in 2024-25. He has no points and 21 PIM in 13 career regular-season NHL outings.
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Canucks' Joseph LaBate: Re-signs with Canucks
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LaBate re-signed with the Canucks on Friday to a one-year, two-way contract.
LaBate, who spent time in both Vancouver and AHL Utica last season, is a physical presence and figures to provide forward depth for the Canucks organization. The 24-year-old tallied 1.8 hits per game in 13 appearances with the Canucks last season. In Utica, he registered 16 points and 80 penalty minutes across 38 games.
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