NAHL alum LaDue signs contract with Capitals

Paul LaDue played in the NAHL during the 2010-11 season, which included the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament and being named to the All-Rookie 2nd Team.

The NHL’s Washington Capitals have signed defenseman and NAHL alum Paul LaDue to a one-year, $700,000 contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced.

LaDue, 28, recorded an assist in two games with the Los Angeles Kings last season. Additionally, the 6'2", 200-pound defenseman registered 27 points (9g, 18a) in 48 games with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL).

The Grand Forks, N.D., native recorded five points (2g, 3a) in 33 games with the Kings in the 2018-19 season. LaDue led all team defensemen with at least 15 games played in shot attempt percentage at five-on-five (402 shot attempts for, 393 against) and ranked second in hits per 60 minutes of play (7.01).

Originally selected by Los Angeles in the sixth round, 181st overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft, LaDue has 18 points (5g, 13a) in 69 career NHL games.

LaDue was an NAHL All-Rookie 2nd Team member during the 2010-11 season with the Alexandria Blizzard. LaDue attended high school at Grand Forks Central helped them win the state championship as a junior in 2010, then moved to the North American Hockey League for a year. He had 22 points in 56 games for the Blizzard during the 2010-11 season. He also played in the 2010 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Walpole, MA.

LaDue attended the University of North Dakota, winning an NCAA Championship during the 2015-16 season.