Joseph LaBate is returning to the place where his NHL career got its start.
LaBate signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, the team announced, after spending the 2024-25 with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.
The 32-year-old forward skated in six games with Columbus, recording one assist and 51 games with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, tallying eight goals and 13 assists.
It marked the first time LaBate had appeared in an NHL game since 2016-17, when he debuted with the Canucks.
Vancouver originally drafted the six-foot-five centre in the fourth round of the 2011 draft.
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