Noah Laberge, a defenseman for the Newfoundland Regiment in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), has established himself as one of the league’s leading offensive blueliners during his final season at the junior level. After being selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Laberge participated in his first Prospects Challenge game last September, where he assisted on an opening goal against more physically developed competition.
“It really helped,” Laberge said about his experience. “I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I can play with them.’ Before that first game, I was so nervous and then after the first few shifts, I realized I can play this level and I have this in me and I have the talent to do that. That gave me a huge confidence booster that, that level is really achievable for me.”
Laberge’s smooth skating and puck-carrying abilities have contributed to his success adapting to faster-paced games beyond junior hockey. He noted learning how to make quicker plays under pressure during these experiences would benefit him as Newfoundland prepares for a playoff run.
“What I felt in those prospect games, and I feel it now too, when I have the puck, I have a lot of time to think about it,” Laberge said. “With the puck, and in those prospect games, the first few periods were a little stressful, but the more and more that I got the puck, I knew that I could make the plays and skate with the puck and that people around me would be in the right places and everything.”
Currently ranked sixth among QMJHL defensemen for points with 45 points in 52 games—and tied for third among league defensemen with 39 assists—Laberge has been recognized by coach Gordie Dwyer for both his offensive output and overall development.
“He’s always been a D-man that’s an excellent skater,” Dwyer said. “He’s got great mobility. He’s a real cerebral player with the ability to drive transition, but his development has really started in his game here recently. Whether it’s passing execution, the responsibilities on the leadership side, his physical play, his shot blocking, penalty kill, top player assignments, those are all areas that he continues to improve on. … His game continues to develop offensively.”
As quarterback of Newfoundland’s power-play unit—which ranks fourth in conversion rate across QMJHL teams—Laberge is tied for third most power-play assists (23) among defensemen and holds third place for power-play points (25).
“As the quarterback, it’s not me that’s going to shoot the most,” Laberge explained. “It’s not me that’s going to have the most goals on the power play; but when I have the puck at the top or when I do a breakout it’s always about putting my teammates in a good position.
“At the top making a little fake getting some more time for my teammates making a shot on net that’s not only for scoring but for a rebound. On power play this year it’s been a lot better because all of our units have been really good at trusting each other. Everybody can do job so we’re putting it on tee and people are scoring.”
Dwyer credits added responsibilities—including penalty kill duties—with accelerating Laberge’s growth: “He’s a really complete 200-foot player,” Dwyer said. “Seeing him add those extra responsibilities of minutes played of top player assignments helping our penalty kill—all of that continues to drive his development… Having that responsibility being first over boards on power play first over boards on penalty kill having first-minute last-minute assignments—that does wonders for player’s development and his future is bright because of that.”
Next season Laberge will join Northeastern University following new NCAA rules from November 2024 allowing players with Canadian Hockey League experience to compete at college level—a move seen as significant within hockey circles.
“I’m ready for a new level,” he said. “I think college would be great for me. A lot more defensive league; a lot more physical league so both things that are really good to grow my game out… To go to Northeastern that’s where I could get best opportunity next year most playing time—and it’s such great organization so I’m really looking forward to it.”
In addition to Laberge’s progress:
– Forward Konsta Helenius surpassed last season’s point total with Rochester Americans (AHL), earning eight points over six recent games after returning from Buffalo.
– Goaltender Devon Levi leads AHL goaltenders in appearances this season while maintaining strong save percentage (.913) and goals-against average (2.51).
– Joel Ratkovic Berndtsson is having his best professional season yet with Karlskrona HK in Sweden’s HockeyEttan league tallying 30 points over 34 games.
