GET TO KNOW YOUR TEAM: SAM LABERGE
By: Jason Shaya
Oct 3, 2024It was early December last season when Sam Laberge was asked to go see Utica head coach, Kevin Dineen. It was at that meeting when Kevin told Sam he wouldn’t be playing in that night’s AHL game. Sam, hearing the news, took it well. He simply nodded his head. That was it. He didn’t stand up and walk out. There was a pause. Dineen then asked Sam if he wanted to know why he wasn’t playing. Sam, the always professional guy said yes and waited to hear the reason. Then came the news that Sam will remember for the rest of his life. His head coach in the AHL wasn’t his head coach anymore. Sam was told he’s going to sign and NHL contract and play in the greatest league in the world for the New Jersey Devils.
For Laberge, like most of the players, you must understand where he comes from. By that, I don’t mean simply mean, Chateauguay, Quebec. I mean, Sam Laberge has gutted out almost 7 years in the minor leagues before getting an NHL contract and then his first NHL game against the San Jose Sharks. It didn’t come easy for Sam. He’s a fighter. He’s fought for everything he has. Nothing was handed to him that he didn’t earn through sheer hard work and determination.
Often, you’ll hear about a player being a “good guy.” Laberge falls into that category. But it’s more than just being polite. Once, on the way to a QMJHL game, he saw a man walking in a ridiculously cold and brutal snowstorm. Sam stopped the car and helped the man get to where he needed to go. It didn’t matter to Sam that he had somewhere to be himself. He saw someone in need and did what was right. When he signed a professional tryout with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, he found out his father was sick. Sam wanted to spend time with his dad. He turned around after a few days at camp and left. Family was more important than hockey. In time, he’d figure out how to get his career back on track.
But here we are, Sam continues to fight and drive for the NHL. And once again, the Comets are the recipients of his incredible work both on and off the ice. There are not many players as dedicated to spreading the word of the Comets and hockey’s good will like Sam. There is a reason he twice won the Humanitarian of the Year award in the Q. There is a reason he won a championship in that league. There is a reason he is so beloved by his teammates and the city of Utica. Sam Laberge does things the right way. Playing against him isn’t easy. He’s as likely to put you into the boards as he is to ask if you’re ok after the game. In the heat of the moment, he’s as tough as they come. He scored one of the biggest goals in franchise history when he sent Laval packing in the playoffs with an overtime winner. It’s one of the best moments I’ve witnessed calling games. You can say a lot about Sam Laberge and one of them is great guy, great player.