Eric Lang (ice hockey)

Last updated
Eric Lang
American International head coach Eric Lang.jpg
Current position
Title Head coach
Team American International
Conference Atlantic Hockey
Record122–99–24 (.547)
Biographical details
Born (1975-08-06) August 6, 1975 (age 48)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Alma mater American International
Playing career
1994–1998 American International
Position(s) Forward
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2006–2008 American International (graduate assistant)
2008–2011 Manhattanville College (women)
2011–2012 Manhattanville College
2012–2016 Army (assistant)
2016–present American International
Head coaching record
Overall135–108–27 (.550)
Tournaments1–3 (.250)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2019 Atlantic Hockey Champion
2019 Atlantic Hockey Tournament champion
2020 Atlantic Hockey Champion
2021 Atlantic Hockey Champion
2021 Atlantic Hockey tournament champion
2022 Atlantic Hockey Champion
2022 Atlantic Hockey tournament champion
Awards
Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year (2019, 2020, 2022)

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

Contents

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 2006 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 team 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 both the Atlantic Hockey regular season and tournament titles and led the Yellow Jackets to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance. [4] [5]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Manhattanville Valiants (ECAC West)(2011–2012)
2011–12 Manhattanville 13–9–36–6–02nd ECAC West Semifinal
Manhattanville:13–9–3 (.580)6–6–0 (.500)
American International Yellow Jackets (Atlantic Hockey)(2016–present)
2016–17 American International 8–20–87–14–710th Atlantic Hockey first round
2017–18 American International 15–20–411–13–48th Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals
2018–19 American International 23–17–118–9–11st NCAA Regional finals
2019–20 American International 21–12–121–6–11st Tournaments Cancelled
2020–21 American International 15–4–011–1–01st NCAA regional semifinals
2021–22 American International 22–12–317–7–21st NCAA regional semifinals
2022–23 American International 18–14–714–8–42nd Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals
American International:122–99–2499–58–19
Total:135–108–27 (.550)

      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

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey</span> Team representing the American International College

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–20 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2019–20 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season was the 72nd season of play for the program, the 24th at the Division I level, and the 17th season in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Yellow Jackets represented American International College and were coached by Eric Lang, in his 4th season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2020–21 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season was the 73rd season of play for the program, the 25th at the Division I level, and the 18th season in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Yellow Jackets represented American International College and were coached by Eric Lang, in his 5th season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2021–22 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season was the 74th season of play for the program. They represented American International College in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season and for the 19th season in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Yellow Jackets were coached by Eric Lang, in his sixth season, and played their home games at MassMutual Center.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018–19 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2018–19 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season was the 71st season of play for the program, the 23rd at the Division I level, and the 16th season in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Yellow Jackets represented American International College and were coached by Eric Lang, in his 3rd season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2017–18 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season was the 70th season of play for the program, the 22nd at the Division I level, and the 15th season in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Yellow Jackets represented American International College and were coached by Eric Lang, in his 2nd season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2022–23 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season was the 75th season of play for the program and 20th in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Yellow Jackets represented American International College, played their home games at MassMutual Center and were coached by Eric Lang, in his 7th season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016–17 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2016–17 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season was the 69th season of play for the program, the 21st at the Division I level, and the 14th in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Yellow Jackets represented American International College and were coached by Eric Lang, in his 1st season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023–24 Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2023–24 Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey season was the 56th season of play for the program and the 18th in Atlantic Hockey. The Falcons represented the United States Air Force Academy, played their home games at the Cadet Ice Arena and were coached by Frank Serratore in his 27th season.

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 Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year
2018–19, 2019–20
2021–22
Succeeded by