David Michael Tanabe (born July 19, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. Tanabe was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. After being forced into early retirement due to an injury, he now works for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.[1]

David Tanabe
Born (1980-07-19) July 19, 1980 (age 43)
White Bear Lake, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Left
Played for NHL
Carolina Hurricanes
Boston Bruins
Phoenix Coyotes
Swiss
Rapperswil-Jona Lakers
Kloten Flyers
National team  United States
NHL Draft 16th overall, 1999
Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career 1999–2008

Playing career edit

Tanabe was in the first group of US high school hockey players to train in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the Cube, site of the National Team Development Program. After graduating from high school in Ann Arbor in 1998, Tanabe played one year of Division 1 Hockey for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin. Tanabe was drafted 16th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft[2] becoming the first graduate of the National Team Development Program to be drafted in the first round. During his first NHL game on October 11, 1999, Tanabe scored his first goal during a power play against the Calgary Flames.[3]

On August 5, 2006 the Boston Bruins decided to "walk-away" from a contract of $1.275 million that was awarded to Tanabe by an arbitrator on August 3, 2006. Under NHL rules Tanabe became an immediate unrestricted free agent. On August 29, 2006, Tanabe was signed by the Hurricanes. In December 2007, Tanabe suffered a concussion against the Toronto Maple Leafs.[2] On October 18, 2008, the Hurricanes reached a settlement with Tanabe on the last year of his contract, at which time his agent stated that Tanabe had been advised by his doctor to not play hockey again.[2]

Career statistics edit

Regular season and playoffs edit

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1996–97 Hill–Murray School HSMN 28 12 14 26
1997–98 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 21 1 3 4 18
1997–98 U.S. NTDP U18 NAHL 12 1 2 3 10
1998–99 University of Wisconsin WCHA 35 10 12 22 44
1999–2000 Cincinnati Cyclones IHL 32 0 13 13 14 11 1 4 5 6
1999–2000 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 31 4 0 4 14
2000–01 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 74 7 22 29 42 6 2 0 2 12
2001–02 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 78 1 15 16 35 1 0 1 1 0
2002–03 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 68 3 10 13 24
2003–04 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 45 5 7 12 22
2004–05 Rapperswil–Jona Lakers NLA 8 4 5 9 4
2004–05 Kloten Flyers NLA 20 3 7 10 18
2005–06 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 21 0 4 4 8
2005–06 Boston Bruins NHL 54 4 12 16 48
2006–07 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 60 5 12 17 44
2007–08 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 18 1 2 3 8
NHL totals 449 30 84 114 245 7 2 1 3 12

International edit

Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1999 United States WJC 6 0 1 1 4
2001 United States WC 9 1 2 3 6
Senior totals 9 1 2 3 6

Awards and honors edit

Award Year
All-WCHA Rookie Team 1998–99

References edit

  1. ^ Colvin, Philip. "Full Circle". usahockeymagazine.com. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Canes part ways with Tanabe". 2008-10-18. Archived from the original on 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  3. ^ "Hurricanes' Rookie David Tanabe Scores Power-Play Goal In First Nhl Game". NHL.com. October 11, 1999. Retrieved June 28, 2018.

External links edit

Sporting positions
Preceded by Carolina Hurricanes first round draft pick
1999
Succeeded by