Samuel Laberge Bio
Samuel Laberge (born April 10, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 205 pounds, he is known for his physical, energy-forward style of play. Undrafted by an NHL club, Laberge worked his way up through junior, minor-league, and independent professional hockey before reaching the NHL.
Born and raised in Quebec, Laberge developed his game in the Canadian junior system and later bounced between the ECHL, AHL, and the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH) before earning his first NHL opportunity. His journey reflects persistence, as he continued to pursue his dream after going undrafted and while dealing with personal challenges off the ice.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Laberge was born on April 10, 1997, in Châteauguay, Quebec, Canada. He grew up in the greater Montreal area, where hockey is woven into daily life and community identity. From a young age, he gravitated toward the sport, playing youth hockey for the local Châteauguay Grenadiers.
Like many young players in Quebec, Laberge faced early setbacks. In his first year of eligibility for the under-18 AAA team, he was cut and spent time at the Midget Espoir level. That experience became a turning point, as he worked to refine his game and was eventually selected by the Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) at the conclusion of the season. With Châteauguay, he also won the Jimmy Ferrari Cup as Quebec AAA champions in 2014.
Path to Hockey
Laberge made his QMJHL debut with the Rimouski Océanic during the 2013–14 season, scoring his first league goal against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar on September 14, 2013. The following year, he became a full-time member of the team and helped the Océanic win the President’s Cup as QMJHL champions in 2014–15.
Despite his strong junior résumé, Laberge went unselected at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He did, however, receive invitations to several NHL summer development camps, including that of the Los Angeles Kings. He also earned recognition for his character, being named QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year in both 2015–16 and 2016–17, while serving as alternate captain and later captain of the Océanic.
Samuel Laberge Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
On July 12, 2017, Laberge signed his first professional contract with the Texas Stars of the AHL. He scored his first AHL goal on November 25, 2017, recording the game-winner in a 3–2 victory over the Cleveland Monsters. During the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs, he scored a double-overtime game-winner against the Ontario Reign in Game 3 of the first round, signaling his knack for timely contributions.
Laberge returned to the Stars on a one-year deal for the 2018–19 season. However, he missed more than two months with an injury, and during the offseason he went home to recover from a concussion. Heading into 2019 training camp, he signed a professional tryout with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose but left after only three days following news that his father had been diagnosed with bone cancer.
LNAH and ECHL Years (2019–2021)
After returning to Châteauguay and taking a job in construction, Laberge received offers from more than half of the LNAH’s seven teams. He chose the Sorel-Tracy Éperviers because they were the closest to his hometown, allowing him to remain near his father. He later described that period as difficult but credited it with restoring his passion for hockey.
Laberge finished the 2019–20 season as Sorel-Tracy’s leading scorer with 29 points in 33 games. The LNAH playoffs were not held due to the coronavirus pandemic. For 2020–21, he signed a standard contract with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL, but the league’s North Division shut down because of COVID-19. He subsequently signed with the Allen Americans as a free agent.
Utica Comets and NHL Debut (2021–2025)
On July 21, 2021, Laberge signed a one-year, two-way AHL contract with the Utica Comets. He was assigned to the Thunder and named alternate captain before being recalled to Utica after just five games. He split much of the 2021–22 season between the two clubs and was told in February 2022 that he would remain with the Comets.
After re-signing with Utica, Laberge played in his first NHL preseason game on September 26, 2022, against the Montreal Canadiens, with his father in attendance. In the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs, he scored the series-winning goal in overtime against the Laval Rocket. On November 18, 2023, he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in a victory over Laval. Midway through that season, on November 25, he signed an entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils, the NHL affiliate of the Comets and Thunder.
Laberge made his NHL debut on November 30, 2023, in a 4–3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, becoming the 743rd former ECHL player to reach the NHL. After two games, he was returned to the Comets, where he recorded 6 goals, 19 points, and 92 penalty minutes in 59 AHL games. The Devils re-signed him on May 16, 2024, to a one-year, two-way deal. As a free agent, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 1, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Laberge is a physical, forechecking forward who plays with high energy and is willing to drop the gloves. His combination of penalty-killing ability, willingness to engage physically, and timely scoring makes him a valuable complementary piece. His experience playing through adversity has added resilience to his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Laberge’s signature moments are his first NHL goal, his overtime series-winner in the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs, and his Gordie Howe hat trick against Laval. Becoming the 743rd former ECHL player to play in the NHL further cemented his underdog journey to the top level.
Samuel Laberge Career Wins
Samuel Laberge’s career has been defined more by perseverance and steady contributions than by headline-grabbing totals. He has collected key goals at every level, including junior, AHL, and NHL milestones.
QMJHL and AHL Highlights
Laberge won the President’s Cup with the Rimouski Océanic in 2014–15 and was a two-time QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year. In the AHL, his standout moments include his first AHL goal in 2017 and a double-overtime playoff winner against the Ontario Reign. With the Utica Comets, he scored a Calder Cup series-clinching overtime goal in 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
In the LNAH, Laberge led the Sorel-Tracy Éperviers in scoring with 29 points in 33 games during 2019–20. He also won the Jimmy Ferrari Cup as a Quebec AAA champion with Châteauguay in 2014.
Samuel Laberge Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey has long been part of Laberge’s family life in Châteauguay. His father, Pierre Laberge, has been a central figure in his career, attending his son’s first NHL preseason game in Quebec in 2022. Pierre’s 2019 bone cancer diagnosis prompted Samuel to step away from hockey temporarily to support his family.
Personal Life
Laberge is known for being deeply connected to his hometown of Châteauguay, where he returned during his father’s illness. His decision to play for the Sorel-Tracy Éperviers reflected his desire to remain close to home during a difficult period.
2025 Season Performance
Samuel Laberge enters the 2025–26 season with the San Jose Sharks organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract on July 1, 2025. He is expected to spend the majority of the year with the San Jose Barracuda, providing physical, two-way play and veteran leadership to the AHL affiliate.
Coming off a season in which he recorded 6 goals, 19 points, and 92 penalty minutes in 59 AHL games with the Utica Comets, Laberge will look to build on that production. His role in San Jose’s system will likely center on energy minutes, penalty killing, and offering a veteran presence for younger prospects.
With another NHL opportunity within reach, Laberge’s 2025–26 campaign represents another chance to prove he belongs at the top level. His track record suggests he will bring the same relentless, hard-working approach that has defined his career path.