San Jose Sharks 2022 7th-round pick Reese Laubach had a breakout year at Penn State in 24-25.
With 15 goals and 15 assists, Laubach helped push Penn State to its first-ever Frozen Four appearance. Laubach and the Nittany Lions defeated fellow San Jose Sharks prospect Joey Muldowney to reach the final four.
Penn State is adding a massive prospect to its program in Gavin McKenna. McKenna is the projected No. 1 pick for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects reports that the official announcement for McKenna will come later this week.
McKenna played in the WHL in 24-25 with the Medicine Hat Tigers. In 54 games, McKenna had 41 goals and 88 assists.
Laubach certainly has a chance to be on the same line as McKenna on the top line. McKenna is listed as a left winger, and pairing him with a responsible centerman with experience seems like the way to go for his freshman year. Laubach matches that description. The Sharks’ prospect is entering his junior season for the program.
It is rare when a 7th-round pick makes it to the NHL. Laubach’s best chance at developing and increasing his chances of making the Sharks could be with McKenna at center.
Obviously, Laubach doesn’t make the lines, but his production and experience might make him the best candidate to be McKenna’s winger.
Laubach grew up in San Jose. The forward is a Sharks fan and played with the San Jose Jr. Sharks program. Macklin Celebrini followed the same footsteps but is a native of Vancouver, BC.
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