Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.ontariohockeyleague.com
- Name: Eric Tangradi
- Position: LW
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 232 lbs
- Birthdate: 1989-02-10
- Eligible for Draft: 2007
- Drafted: 2007
- Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Acquired: Trade with Anaheim, 2009
- Playing In: Pro
Eric Tangradi
Prospect Grade: 7.5 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2006-07: Although his offensive numbers weren’t overwhelming with only 20 points and five goals in 65 games during his rookie season, Tangradi’s improved performance in the playoffs may have raised his profile in some eyes. In 15 playoff games, Tangradi performed at better than a point-per-game clip, scoring eight goals and adding nine assists. He also added a bit of grit to his game, racking up 14 penalty minutes after only spending 32 minutes in the box all season long.
2007-08: In his second season with Belleville Tangradi posted 24 goals, 36 assists, and 41 PIM. He was just as impressive in the playoffs, posting 7 goals and 11 assists in 21 games.
2008-09: Tangradi was among the scoring leaders in the OHL all season long, finishing with 38 goals and 50 assists in 55 games. He also showed an increased level of physicality, posting 61 PIM. One of his more notably boorish moments happen during the WJC when Canadian player Chris DiDomenico, during a goal celebration, was clipped in the face from the bench by Tangradi.
Around the trade deadline, he was moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with Chris Kunitz for defensemen Ryan Whitney.
Tangradi would see his post-season cut short however as he suffered a horrific wrist injury during the playoffs. Before the injury, the winger posted 8 goals and 13 assists in 16 games.
2009-10: Assigned to the Penguins AHL affiliate out of camp, Tangradi hit a bit of a learning curve at the professional level. By the end of the season however, he found his groove and finished the season with 17 goals and 22 assists in 65 games. He also made one NHL appearance where he did not look out of place on a line with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy.
2010-11: Made the NHL out of training camp only to be returned to the AHL after several games. Tangradi would get called up to the NHL again later in the season only to sustain a concussion and miss a month of hockey. He finished the season with 1 goal and 2 assists in 15 NHL games, and also made an appearance in the first round of the playoffs. In the AHL he managed 18 goals, 15 assists, and 86 penalty minutes in 42 games.
Talent Analysis
Tangradi is a prototypical power forward with a thick 6'4 frame, soft hands, and a surly on-ice disposition. The only two knocks on him ever were his skating and his inability to realize his vast natural abilities. Over the past two seasons, those have been addressed as he has developed an explosive first step and uses his size and strength to his advantage every time he steps on the ice.
Offensively his greatest strength is his net-front presence. He knows how to use his big strong body in front of the net and can create match-up problems for opposing defensemen. He displays the same warrior mentality when battling for loose pucks or playing in high-traffic areas of the ice. His hockey IQ is also very high, which combined with his offensive abilities, allows him to create offensive opportunities for himself and his linemates.
Tangradi has also shown a nasty streak throughout his career and will not hesitate to drop the gloves and stick up for teammates. He is a strong off-ice presence as well and has been among the team leaders wherever he has gone.
Future
Tangradi will likely start the 2011-12 season in the NHL where he will hope to stick for good. He should be able to provide physicality in the lineup as well as a solid net-front presence on the powerplay.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: September, 6th 2011
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