Michael Latta
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Birthday:
1991-05-25 |
Position:
C |
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Eligible for draft:
2009 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
2009 |
Height:
5-11 |
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Acquired:
Trade with Nashville, 2013 |
Weight:
207 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- D
History
2006-07: Michael Latta played for the Waterloo Minor Midgets this season, picking up 118 points in 73 games.
2007-08: Latta was selected in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection by the Ottawa 67’s. In his first year of professional hockey, the center totaled 28 points (14g+14a) in 50 games. He saw the box a lot, racking up 78 PIM. He was named to the 2008 Ontario Under-17 team that competed in London, Ontario but missed the tournament due to an illness.
2008-09: This marked Latta’s second season with the Ottawa 67’s (OHL) and he proved to be improving over his freshman campaign with the club. In 23 games with Ottawa, the center netted eight goals and 13 assists for a total of 21 points. He was acquired by the Guelph Storm on Nov. 25, 2008 in exchange for Anthony Nigro, Travis Gibbons and a 2nd round selection in 2009. In 42 games with Guelph, he managed to record 36 points (14g+22a) and another two assists in four playoff games. He represented Team Orr in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game. During the skills portion of the event he knocked out four targets in six shots to claim the shooting accuracy event. Latta was chosen by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 72nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Draft.
2009-10: In his first full season with the Guelph Storm, Latta scored 33 goals, 40 assists for 73 points in 58 games. The centerman also earned 157 PIMs. He added 2 goals, 7 assists for 9 points in 5 playoff games with Guelph. Latta appeared in 1 playoff game with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals but did not crack the scoresheet.
2010-11: Latta made his pro debut with AHL Milwaukee late in the season; joining the Admirals after leading Guelph with 10 points in the Storm's high-scoring, six-game OHL playoff series with Saginaw. Latta saw limited ice time In four regular season games and seven playoff contests with Milwaukee. He had 1 assist and was an even plus/minus with two PMs. Latta was the Storm's second-leading scorer during the regular season behind fellow Predators' prospect Taylor Beck. Latta scored 34 goals with a team-high 55 assists. He was also the team's leader in penalty minutes (158) and finished -4. In six playoff games he scored 5 goals with 5 assists and was -3 with 11 PMs. Four of his five playoff goals were scored on the power play.
2011-12: Latta skated for the Predators' AHL affiliate Milwaukee in his first pro season; getting off to a fast start before suffering a broken wrist in January that kept him out until mid-March. He finished the season with 14 goals and 13 assists in 51 games and was plus-eight with 100 penalty minutes. The Admirals finished second in the North Division before being swept by Abbotsford in the first round of the AHL playoffs. Latta had one assist in the three game series and was minus-one with 2 penalty minutes.
Talent Analysis
Latta may not have ideal size for an NHLer, but he has shown that he has ample heart. He's displayed a willingness bordering on zeal for competing in the corners and in front of the net, which is why the Storm paid a heft price in obtaining him from Ottawa in the Anthony Nigro trade. Latta's an effective playmaking center who improves his linemates both through skill and by setting an example on how to pay attention to the intangibles that separate winning teams from the mediocre ones.
Future
Latta will play his second year at the AHL level in Milwaukee and should improve on his rookie season's offensive numbers. The physical center might still be a few years away from playing at the NHL level but could be an injury call-up if the NHL lockout ends.
Latta was dealt by the Nashville Predators to the Washington Capitals at the 2013 NHL trade deadline in the deal that brought Filip Forsberg to the Predators.
