Introduction
Michael Latta (born May 25, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing with the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League (AHL), while under contract to the Chicago Blackhawks organization of the National Hockey League (NHL). Latta was selected by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 72nd overall, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing career
Junior
Prior to turning professional, Latta played major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Ottawa 67's and Guelph Storm. He was drafted by the Nashville Predators on June 26, 2009, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.
Professional
After playing one more season in the OHL after being drafted, on April 14, 2010, Nashville signed Latta to a three-year, entry-level contract. He played three seasons with the Predators' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
During the 2012–13 season, on April 3, 2013, at the NHL trade deadline, Latta was traded to the Washington Capitals, along with Martin Erat, in exchange for prospect Filip Forsberg.
Latta made his NHL debut with the Capitals in the 2013–14 season. He scored his first career NHL goal on November 15, 2013, against the Detroit Red Wings.
On July 1, 2016, after not being retained by the Capitals, Latta signed a one-year deal as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings. After competing in training camp and pre-season with the Kings, Latta was re-assigned to begin the 2016–17 season with AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Latta featured in 29 games with the Reign for 6 points before he was traded without making an appearance for the Kings to the Chicago Blackhawks, in exchange for Cameron Schilling on January 21, 2017.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2007–08 | Ottawa 67's | OHL | 50 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 78 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | Ottawa 67's | OHL | 23 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 42 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 60 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | ||
| 2009–10 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 58 | 33 | 40 | 73 | 157 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 14 | ||
| 2009–10 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 68 | 34 | 55 | 89 | 158 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 11 | ||
| 2010–11 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | ||
| 2011–12 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 51 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 100 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2012–13 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 67 | 9 | 26 | 35 | 184 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 2013–14 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 17 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 52 | 14 | 20 | 34 | 134 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 53 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 68 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 43 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Ontario Reign | AHL | 29 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 113 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 130 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||