Former AIC participant Tabb chosen new coach for Yellow Jackets as workforce begins 2025-26 season as NCAA Division II faculty

American Worldwide has employed Patrick Tabb because the ninth head coach in program historical past.

Tabb takes over for Eric Lang, who took the top teaching job at Rensselaer after AIC introduced it was transferring all the way down to Division II beginning with the 2025-26 season.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Pat Tabb as the brand new head males’s ice hockey coach at American Worldwide School,” AIC interim director of athletics Scott Foulis mentioned in an announcement. “All through the search course of, Pat stood out along with his clear and thrilling imaginative and prescient for the way forward for our hockey program, and his unbridled enthusiasm for AIC. His earlier teaching expertise, together with with AIC, alongside along with his deep ties to the hockey neighborhood in western Massachusetts and past will undoubtedly have a optimistic impression. We’re excited to see the subsequent chapter of AIC Hockey below his course.”

“I want to thank president Nicolle Cestero and the whole athletics workers for this chance. AIC is an establishment that gives alternatives and over the course of the historical past of our hockey program numerous gamers and coaches have taken benefit of that chance. The usual right here is ready excessive and our alumni wish to see that customary stay. The 413 has a robust presence within the hockey neighborhood and the Yellow Jackets will proceed to be a pillar in our neighborhood,” Tabb mentioned.

“I’ve had the privilege during the last 21 years to educate alongside some wonderful individuals, coach excellent scholar athletes and I’d prefer to thank all of them as effectively. That might not have been potential with out sturdy household assist thanks to my spouse Jennifer, son Camden, and daughter Hailey for not simply all the time supporting me however embracing the nice sport of hockey.”

Tabb isn’t any stranger to this system, having served as an assistant coach for 10 seasons throughout two stints, first from 2004-07 below Gary Wright after which rejoining the workforce in 2018 below Lang.

Tabb performed for Wright at AIC from 1999 to 2003, skating in 115 video games for the Yellow Jackets as a four-year letter-winner, scoring three targets and including 12 assists for 15 factors.

He additionally has intensive connections outdoors of AIC on the planet of junior hockey. He took management of the then-Jap Junior Hockey League’s Springfield Pics in 2007 as head coach and common supervisor, and the Pics had been founding members of the USA Premier Hockey League in 2013. Tabb coached the Pics to a USPHL Elite Division title in 2013-14 to advance to the 2014 Tier III Junior Nationals, the place the workforce reached the semifinals.

The Pics have since blossomed below Tabb’s possession, increasing in 2014-15 to the USPHL’s Premier Division, and not too long ago introduced that they’ll subject a workforce within the USPHL’s prime degree, the Nationwide Collegiate Improvement Convention, for 2025-26.

As well as, Tabb’s work with the Olympia Hockey Academy has helped quite a few athletes obtain extremely. His most notable protégés are western Massachusetts natives Frank Vatrano, Ryan Leonard, and John Leonard. Vatrano has had a 10-year NHL profession that has seen him play almost 650 video games for 4 groups and featured a 2024 NHL All-Star Sport choice for the Anaheim Geese, whereas the Leonard brothers have each reached the NHL, with John Leonard enjoying for San Jose and Ryan Leonard enjoying for Washington through the 2024-25 season.