The Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday signed forward Eric Tangradi to a one-year contract.
Tangradi, 26, spent the majority of the 2014-15 season with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, ranking seventh on the team in scoring with 31 points (14-17—31) and 56 penalty minutes in 48 games. Originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Tangradi also appeared in seven games with the Montreal Canadiens last season and has notched a total of five goals and 10 assists in 143 career NHL games between the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009-13), Winnipeg Jets (2012-14) and Canadiens (2014-15).
The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Tangradi has played the majority of his AHL career with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2009-13). In all, the left wing has accumulated 152 points (74-78—152) in 226 AHL games since 2009. During the 2010-11 season, Tangradi was named to the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic and earned honors as the AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Dec. 12, after scoring five goals and two assists in three games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Prior to turning pro, Tangradi spent three seasons with the OHL’s Belleville Bulls from 2006-09, amassing 168 points (67-101—168), 134 PIM and a plus-61 rating in 176 games. The Philadelphia native capped off his junior career in 2008-09 with an 88-point season and led the Bulls in scoring while ranking eighth overall in the OHL. In addition to being named to the OHL All-Star Classic that season, Tangradi picked up eight goals and 13 assists in 16 playoff games and helped guide his squad to the conference finals.
