David Tanabe

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.

Playing career 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

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. 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.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs 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 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 Award Year All-WCHA Rookie Team 1998–99