Eric Tangradi (born February 10, 1989) is an
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, p ...
former professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
left winger
In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...
. He played for the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
,
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
,
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
,
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
,
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
, and
Barys Nur-Sultan
Hockey Club Barys ( ), also referred to as Barys Astana or HC Barys, is a professional ice hockey club based in Astana, Kazakhstan. It is a member of the Chernyshev Division in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
It is one of the founding member ...
in the
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL; ) is an international professional ice hockey league founded in 2008. It comprises member clubs based in Russia (20), Belarus (1), Kazakhstan (1), and China (1) for a total of 23 clubs.
It was considered in ...
(KHL). Tangradi was drafted 42nd overall in the 2nd round of the
2007 NHL Entry Draft by the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
.
Playing career
Amateur
Tangradi, originally from the Philadelphia area, played High School Hockey for Archbishop Carroll and won a Pennsylvania State AA Championship in 2004 over 2-time champions Peters Township and played one season for Wyoming Seminary Prep School in
Kingston, Pennsylvania
Kingston is a borough (Pennsylvania), borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located on the western bank of the Susquehanna River opposite Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre. Kingston was first settled in the early 17 ...
.
He played three seasons of
junior hockey
Junior ice hockey is amateur-level ice hockey for 16 to 20 year-old players. National Junior teams compete annually for the IIHF World Junior Championship. The United States men's national junior ice hockey team are the defending champions from t ...
with the
Belleville Bulls
The Belleville Bulls were a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 and based in Belleville, Ontario. The team played in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team relocated to Hamilton, Ontario, ...
of the
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; ) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League, alongside the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The league is for players ag ...
. In 2008, Tangradi was named captain of the Bulls team. In 2008-09, Tangradi had a break-out junior season, posting 38 goals and 88 points in just 55 games. During the season on December 9, 2008, he was also signed to a three-year entry-level deal with the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
.
On February 26, 2009, Tangradi was traded along with
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
forward
Chris Kunitz
Christopher Kunitz (born September 26, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Anaheim Ducks (where he won his first Stanley Cup in 2007), Atlanta Thrashers, the ...
to the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
in exchange for defenseman
Ryan Whitney. Tangradi was named the Boston Pizza OHL & CHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 12. Tangradi at seasons end was named the Belleville Bulls Humanitarian of the Year, Most Outstanding Forward, and Top Scorer.
Professional
Tangradi tallied his first professional point in his first professional game in the
AHL with the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (sometimes known as the WBS Penguins) are a professional ice hockey team based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Pengui ...
on October 3, 2009 against the
Syracuse Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch are a professional ice hockey team based in Syracuse, New York. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning. They play in they home games at the Upstate Medical Univer ...
. He assisted on a
Wyatt Smith goal in the second period. He later scored his first professional goal in the AHL on November 11, 2009 against
Jean-Philippe Lamoureux of the
Portland Pirates
The Portland Pirates were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). Their home arena was the Cross Insurance Arena in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the Baltimore Skipjacks ...
. Off of the following face-off, Tangradi entered his first professional fight taking on Kyle Rank.

Tangradi made his NHL debut during the last game of the season, on April 11, 2010 against the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
.
The following season, Tangradi made the NHL club out of training camp. On October 11, 2010, Tangradi scored his first NHL point against the
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
assisting on an
Alex Goligoski
Alexander Goligoski (born July 30, 1985) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars, Arizona Coyotes, and Minnesota Wild. Goligoski ...
goal. On October 15, 2010, Tangradi scored his first NHL goal against goaltender
Rick DiPietro
Richard W. DiPietro Jr. (born September 19, 1981) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender and current co-host of ESPN 98.7 FM New York's "DiPietro and Rothenberg" with Dave Rothenberg. He is also an analyst on National Hockey ...
of the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
. After being reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on December 8, 2010, Tangradi scored his first professional hat trick against goalies
Jussi Rynnas and
Ben Scrivens
Benjamin John Scrivens (born September 11, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He is the current team manager of the University of Denver Pioneers. Scrivens has played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for ...
of the
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a c ...
.
During the now infamous
February 11, 2011, game vs. the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
Tangradi was a victim of an elbow to the head by forward
Trevor Gillies. Gillies was suspended 9 games for the hit.
Tangradi was sidelined for two months, due to concussion symptoms.
On January 13, 2012, Tangradi picked up his first NHL fighting major when he took on
Erik Gudbranson
Erik Donald Stanley Gudbranson (born January 7, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected third overall by the Florida Panthers ...
of the
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...
. On April 18, 2012, Tangradi tallied his first NHL playoff point against his hometown
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
, assisting on a
Jordan Staal
Jordan Staal (born September 10, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey Centre (ice hockey), centre and Captain (ice hockey), captain of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is regarded as a premier penalty-killer ...
goal. Tangradi's legacy with the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (sometimes known as the WBS Penguins) are a professional ice hockey team based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Pengui ...
is that he is ninth on W-B/S' all-time goals list with 60 in 178 games.
During the
2012–13
1 (one, unit, unity) is a number, numeral, and glyph. It is the first and smallest positive integer of the infinite sequence of natural numbers. This fundamental property has led to its unique uses in other fields, ranging from science to sp ...
shortened season, Tangradi was traded by the Penguins to the
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
in exchange for a
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
sixth-round pick.
Tangradi scored his first goal as a Winnipeg Jet on March 7, 2013 against
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...
goaltender
Anders Lindback. Tangradi played his first full season at the NHL level with Winnipeg in 2013-14 where he assumed a fourth-line left wing role.
On October 5, 2014, Tangradi was traded by the Jets to the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
in exchange for
Peter Budaj
Peter Budaj ( ; born 18 September 1982) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey goaltender. He had previously played in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Avalanche, which drafted him, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, and Tam ...
and
Patrick Holland.
During the
2014–15 season, Tangradi recorded 14 goals and 17 assists in 48 games with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the
Hamilton Bulldogs
The Hamilton Bulldogs were a Canadian major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) that began to play in the 2015–16 season. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, the Bulldogs played home games at FirstOntario Centre. They were purc ...
, and 17 penalty minutes in seven games with the Canadiens.
On July 8, 2015, the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
signed Tangradi to a one-year contract. On October 4, 2015, Tangradi was assigned to the Red Wings' AHL affiliate, the
Grand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional ice hockey team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL), playing their home games at Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of t ...
. On December 28, 2015, Tangradi was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings. He was assigned to the Griffins on December 30. On January 24, 2016, Tangradi was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings. Prior to being recalled, Tangradi led the Griffins with 31 points, and was tied for fifth in the AHL with 16 goals in 36 games. He was reassigned to the Griffins on January 26. On March 21, 2016, the Red Wings signed Tangradi to a two-year contract extension.
On July 25, 2018, Tangradi signed a one-year, two-way contract with the
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
.
As a free agent from the Devils, Tangradi opted to sign his first contract overseas, agreeing to terms with
Barys Nur-Sultan
Hockey Club Barys ( ), also referred to as Barys Astana or HC Barys, is a professional ice hockey club based in Astana, Kazakhstan. It is a member of the Chernyshev Division in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
It is one of the founding member ...
on August 19, 2019. After scoring nine points (five goals, four assists) in 22 games with Barys, Tangradi returned to North America by signing a one-year AHL contract with his old team, the Grand Rapids Griffins, on December 6, 2019.
Following his 11th professional season, Tangradi announced his retirement from professional hockey, embarking on a new career in real estate on May 5, 2021.
Personal life
Growing up in Philadelphia as the son of a postal worker, Tangradi was a fan of the
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
, and had
Eric Lindros
Eric Bryan Lindros (; born February 28, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Oshawa Generals prior to being chosen first overall in the 1991 NHL entry d ...
' and
Keith Primeau
Keith David Primeau (born November 24, 1971) is a Canadian businessman and ice hockey coach. He is a former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, C ...
's jerseys along with the Flyers'
Legion of Doom
The Legion of Doom is a group of supervillains who originated in '' Challenge of the Superfriends'', an animated series from Hanna-Barbera based on DC Comics' Justice League. The Legion of Doom has since been incorporated into the main DC Univers ...
poster hanging on his room's wall. In addition to ice hockey he also played
lacrosse
Lacrosse is a contact team sport played with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins with the indigenous people of North America as early as the 12th century. The game w ...
as a youth.
Tangradi is a dog lover, and owns a
Boxer Boxer most commonly refers to:
*Boxer (boxing), a competitor in the sport of boxing
* Boxer (dog), a breed of dog
Boxer or boxers may also refer to:
Animal kingdom
* Boxer crab
* Boxer shrimp, a small group of decapod crustaceans
* Boxer snipe ee ...
named Carson in honor of the street in
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...
where he met his wife, Caitlyn Hess. The couple married on June 21, 2014. A
Penn State #Redirect Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with ca ...
graduate with an interest for fashion, Hess started SCHEÉ (pronounced SHE-ay), a shoe company with a philanthropic twist where a percentage of each sale goes to a charity.
In June 2022 Tangradi announced that he would become head coach of
Shady Side Academy
}
Shady Side Academy is an independent preparatory school in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania in Greater Pittsburgh. Founded in 1883 as an all-male night school in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, the academy now offers a secular coeducation ...
's boys’ prep hockey team.
Career statistics
Awards and honors
* Tangradi was a member of the United States team in the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships.
* Tangradi was named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 12, 2010.
* Named to the 2011 AHL All-Star game.
* Named Huntington Bank Grand Rapids Griffins Player of the Month for March 2017.
* Tangradi was a member of the
2017 Calder Cup Champion Grand Rapids Griffins.
* Named Huntington Bank Grand Rapids Griffins Player of the Month for December 2017.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tangradi, Eric
1989 births
Living people
American men's ice hockey left wingers
Anaheim Ducks draft picks
Barys Astana players
Belleville Bulls players
Binghamton Devils players
Detroit Red Wings players
Grand Rapids Griffins players
Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) players
Ice hockey players from Pennsylvania
Montreal Canadiens players
New Jersey Devils players
Pittsburgh Penguins players
Ice hockey people from Philadelphia
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players
Winnipeg Jets players
Archbishop John Carroll High School alumni