Staten Island’s Labanc primed for enhanced role with Sharks

Kevin Labanc signed a one-year, $1 million contract as a restricted free agent on July 8. (Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)

Kevin Labanc is banking on himself to take the next step in his hockey career.

Fresh off his third National Hockey League season, in which the San Jose Sharks right wing totaled 56 points (17-39-56) in 82 regular-season games and nine points (4-5-9) in 20 Stanley Cup playoff contests, the Brooklyn-born, Staten Island-raised 23-year-old left money and term on the table when he signed a modest one-year, $1 million contract as a restricted free agent on July 8.

The reason why he inked this deal is simple.