Two players in Penguins history have worn the number 56. The player we choose to focus on today also wore the number 25 and 26 for the Penguins. The numbers 26 and 25 have too many other options that we can cover so we are just going to cover this player now. If that upsets you, well, we got two words for ya!!
Now that we were able to get our mandatory wrestling reference into this post, on to number 56 we go. Number 56 is none other than Eric P's favorite player of all time Eric "#BangBodies" Tangradi.
Eric Tangradi
Eric Tangradi was drafted by the Anahiem Ducks in the second round, 42nd overall, in the 2007 NHL draft. Tangradi joined the Penguins organization on February 26, 2009. He was part of the trade that also brought in current Penguins forward Chris Kunitz in exchange for Ryan Whitney.
For the better part of 8 seasons "The Big Dog" banged bodies for the Penguins organization, spending time in both the AHL and the NHL. Tangradi's career failed to take off like many thought it would. We credit that to Eric P for blowing Tangradi on the ice every night. Figuratively and maybe even litterally. Tangradi played a total of 45 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins big club. Through 45 games Eric Tangradi scored a grand total of 1 goal and registered 4 total assists, also adding one assist during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The one goal he did manage to score came against Rick DiPietro, so it is debatable as to whether or not the goal should even count.
Tangradi's goal would mark the first time Rick DiPietro was embarrassed at the hands of a Penguin that season. The second time came on February 2, 2011 when Penguins backup goalie Brent Johnson did what hockey fans all over the world would love to do.
The reason this night was brought up, other than to laugh at Rick DiPietro again, is because it was the catalyst that led to what many people might remember Tangradi most for. The night the night he was almost assassinated on the ice by the Islanders goon Trevor Gillies.
Tangradi spent much more time on the in the AHL that he did in the NHL during his time with the Penguins organization. Tangradi is apparently 9th all time on the Wilkes-Barre goal scoring list, scoring 60 goals in 178 games. The Big Dog was never able to translate that AHL success onto the NHL stage.
#BangBodies was shipped out of Pittsburgh to Winnipeg for a 7th round pick during the lockout shortened (Bettman Sucks) 2012-2013 season. Since the Winnipeg Jets suck, Tangradi has managed to play in 91 games since joining the Jets. He has notched 4 goals, 6 assists, and 43 Penalty Minutes in his time in Winnipeg. Since having loud fans doesn't help you actually getting into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we don't need to worry about his playoff statistics with the Jets.
Sergei Zubov
The only other Penguin to wear the number 56 sweater was Sergei Zubov. Zubov only spent one season in Pittsburgh. During the 1995-1996 season Zubov played 64 games scoring 11 goals and registering 55 assists. He scored 1 goal and 14 assists during 18 playoff games that year.
I would say more about Tangradi and Zubov but it is Thursday, meaning its Banner Night. Thanks to Rammer sucking, Banner Nights might be hard to come by next year. We can't worry about that now though. I'm jammed up and ready and so it everyone else. Give @bobbles412, @Zackmorris82, @kingling43, @YouMeAndDupuis, and @SugarShaneP87 a follow on twitter to join in on the #BannerNightLiveTweet fun. Tune in tomorrow to see who number 55 is, until then...
Go Pens
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