Eric Lang (ice hockey)

Eric Lang (born August 6, 1975) is a former ice hockey forward who currently the head coach at his alma mater American International.[1]

Eric Lang
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamAmerican International
ConferenceAtlantic Hockey
Record67–69–14 (.493)
Biographical details
Born (1975-08-06) August 6, 1975
The Bronx, NY, USA
Alma materAmerican International
Playing career
1994–1998American International
Position(s)Forward
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2006–2008American International (graduate assistant)
2008–2011Manhattanville College (Women)
2011–2012Manhattanville College
2012–2016Army (Assistant)
2016–PresentAmerican International
Head coaching record
Overall80–72–17 (.524)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2019 Atlantic Hockey Champion
2019 Atlantic Hockey Tournament Champion
2020 Atlantic Hockey Champion
Awards
2× Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year (2019, 2020)

Career

Lang started his college career at American International, playing for the team while it was still in the Division III ranks. After four seasons with the Yellow Jackets he graduated with a BA in psychology. Lang worked for the NHL as an off-ice official and coached at Byram Hills High School for four years before returning to Springfield, Massachusetts to earn a graduate degree. While working towards a Master's in organizational development Lang served as a graduate assistant for the men's ice hockey team at AIC from '06 until graduating in 2008.[2]

With his degree in hand Lang was immediately hired as the head coach of the women's program at Manhattanville College, spending three seasons with the team until he took over the duties as bench boss of the men's tem in 2011. Lang spent only one season with the program[3] before joining the staff at Army first as a volunteer assistant and then as a full-time assistant coach for the Black Knights. After four years under the tutelage of Brian Riley Lang accepted the head coaching position with his alma mater, replacing long-time coach Gary Wright.

Taking over a team that in 2016 ranked 60th of 60 Division I teams, Lang recruited Europeans who wanted a good education while playing hockey, and used a European playing style emphasizing puck possession. In his first season as head coach AIC's 8-20-8 record was not unusually bad compared to the team's history. In his second season Lang led the team to 15 wins, the most since 1993. In Lang's third season AIC won the conference during the regular season with a 17-9-1 record.[4][5]

Head coaching record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Manhattanville Valiants (ECAC West) (2011–2012)
2011–12 Manhattanville 13–9–36–6–02ndECAC West Semifinal
Manhattanville: 13–9–3 (.580)6–6–0 (.500)
American International Yellow Jackets (Atlantic Hockey) (2016–present)
2016–17 American International 8–20–87–14–710thAtlantic Hockey First Round
2017–18 American International 15–20–411–13–48thAtlantic Hockey Quarterfinals
2018–19 American International 23–17–118–9–11stNCAA Regional Finals
2019–20 American International 21–12–121–6–11stTournaments Cancelled
American International: 67–69–14 (.493)57–42–13 (.567)
Total:80–72–17 (.524)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References
  1. "2016-17 Men's Ice Hockey Coaching Staff". American International Yellow Jackets. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  2. "Eric Lang named new American International College men's ice hockey coach, replaces Gary Wright". Mass Live. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  3. "Manhattanville Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  4. Chimelis, Ron (2019-03-12). "After decades of losing, AIC hockey is savoring its success". MassLive. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  5. "American International Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Rick Gotkin		 Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year
2018–19 / 2019–20		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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